Jon Riggens and Ben Coen (left) come to tackle Tawaazon© Photo Healy Racing
Jon Riggens got up in the final strides to beat Tawaazon in the Bellinter Handicap.
Placed on three of his last four starts, the Eddie Lynam-trained victor certainly wasn't winning out of turn and was sent off a 5/1 chance with Ben Coen aboard.
Towards rear in the early stages, the Requinto five-year-old made progress on the inner from before halfway.
Coming with his effort over a furlong from home, he soon needed to be switched off the rail and he gradually wore down Tawaazon inside the final 150 yards, with a head the margin of victory.
The runner-up was returned at 8/1 under Jamie Powell for James McAuley, while Screen Siren (11/1) and Mickey The Steel (13/2 from 16s) were third and fourth respectively.
Lynam was also responsible for the 9/2 favourite Heavenly Power with this one finishing fifth.
"He won first time for us when I got him, he got a high 80s rating because he won a Curragh maiden. Then he came down a bit and was a close second in good handicaps here and at Naas at the backend (of the season). He was a bit unlucky in Naas.
"Chris (Hayes) was very happy with him the last day, he was on the way back. Sarah (Lynam's Screen Siren) had the lighter weight so she got Chris.
"We will keep going for those sort of handicaps.
"Four lads own him (DWPJ Investments Ltd) and they get a great bit of craic out of him. Hopefully they backed him today."
STEWARDS REPORTS
W.M. Lordan, rider of Curraheen Princess trained by N.Stokes, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got upset in the starting stalls.
J.A. Powell, rider of Tawaazon, trained by James McAuley, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left throughout this race.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
