'Gorgeous' Riccardi gets off the mark

An eye-catching third on his most recent start, Riccardi Medici went a few places better in the first divide of the View Restaurant At Dundalk Handicap.

Out of Duchessofflorence, who won three times at Dundalk, the chestnut colt was expected to make the breakthrough today, going off a well-backed 11/10 favourite (from 11/8) under Ronan Whelan.

Upped in trip to a mile-and-a-half for the first time, the Mick Halford trained victor was settled in mid-division, taking closer order from the two furlong pole.

He travelled strongly to lead inside the final furlong and was ridden out in the closing stages, coming home a length-and-a-half to the good.

.Chutzpal (22/1) filled the runner-up spot under Mark Enright for Jennifer Lynch, while Maura's Gift (11/1) was another half-a-length back in third.

Halford said in the aftermath: "He's a gorgeous, big horse. He had the form to win that race, so I am delighted that he got his head in front for Michael Enright - Michael is a very good owner with us and he has been very loyal to us. He bred that lad as well.

"He's a horse that I think will make an even better four-year-old. He always showed us promise. We didn't think we would actually have to start off at that level with him, but that is what it has taken for him to get it together.

"He's not as raw or backward now as he was and the penny is starting to drop with him. He has the size and scope to improve.

"We might come back up (to Dundalk) and try again with him. Ultimately, he will probably be put away this side of Christmas for next year.

"Ronan said that was the race for him."

On finishing the season well, he added: "The horses are running better and, when they are running better, you train them with a bit more confidence. Ronan can ride them with more confidence. This game is all about confidence.

"We were having an ordinary year for a long time and then you are sort of second guessing yourself. It is just hard to always do the right thing, but when the horses are running well and Ronan is riding winners with confidence, it just seems to happen for you."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham