Daliyan scores on his return to the turf

Daliyan marked his return to the turf in style, as he took the Greenmount Apprentice Handicap under Sam James for trainer Rodger Sweeney.

The four-year-old son of Red Ransom, who was formerly trained by Mick Halford, last ran on the turf back in October of 2011, with his next seven runs coming on the all-weather at Dundalk.

He finished a good second to Eastern Rules on his last outing at Dundalk and he was sent off at 9/2 to go one place better this evening.

Prominent thoughout, he was in front a furlong out and he stayed on well under pressure from there to record a half a length success.

The David Wachman trained Attire finished second on his handicap debut under Conor King also at 9/2, while Shalaman was a further length and a half back in third under Conor Hoban for Denis Hogan at 16/1. Silver Chief was sent off the well-supported 4/1 favourite (opened at 6/1 on-course) under Katherine O’Brien for Mick Winters but she never looked like winning and finished a disappointing sixth.

Rodger Sweeney said afterwards: "He galloped away honestly to the line and Sam gave him a very good ride. He took no prisoners and it was the right thing to do as he is a horse who doesn’t have a great turn of foot."

Sweeney went on to comment on his stablestar Salsify, saying; "He has come back fine and he is gone out to grass now for the summer.

"The ground was a bit quick for him and he had a long campaign but full credit to the winner (Mossey Joe).

"He was a top class hurdler and was very impressive on the night."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee