Trainer Ger Lyons and stable jockey Colin Keane's good season continued at Down Royal today when Belle Et Bete justified 9/10 favouritism to easily win the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Auction Maiden for the pair.

The winner bolted in by all of eight and a half lengths from Enter The Priory and afterwards Lyons stated “she's a straightforward filly but I don't like seeing them go off that short (starting price), but I don't have any control over that!

“It was a stupid thing to put her in at the Curragh, but I do think she is up to black type but we'll do baby steps with her now and there'll be good gaps between her races.

“We'll look for a winners' race for her and we'll have a go at black -ype before we put her away for the winter."

Quotes from Michael Graham