Mick Halford has Irish Champions Weekend aim for Curragh scorer Riyazan

Mick Halford will aim his Curragh maiden winner Riyazan at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend.

Sent off at 25-1, the Aga Khan-owned colt created a good impression when beating Aidan O'Brien's odds-on favourite Nelson by two and three-quarter lengths on Monday.

Halford will now look towards the Group Three Willis Towers Watson Champion Juvenile Turf Stakes – registered as the Golden Fleece – on September 9 for the son of Iffraaj.

The County Kildare handler told www.michaelhalford.com: "His work at home had been good and we were expecting a decent showing from him.

"He won in the style of a smart horse and he'll go to Leopardstown on Champions Day for the Golden Fleece Stakes.

"There is no reason to think that he won't be a better horse next year and we'll learn a bit more about him at Leopardstown.

"I'd like to think he will improve plenty for this run at the Curragh and Pat Smullen was impressed with him."