Alfie defies penalty to prove real Mate to Naas punters

The Ger Lyons trained My Mate Alfie made light of a penalty when battling on bravely inside the final furlong to land the RFL Steels Stakes (Listed Race) at Naas.

Having followed up his Bold Lad success with a victory in Group 3 company at the Curragh last time, the improving three-year-old was completing a hat-trick.

Tracking the pace setting Big Gossey and Twilight Jet in the early stages, Colin Keane moved up to challenge the former over a furlong out, as the latter gave way. Thunderbear made it a three-way battle inside the final furlong as he arrived on the inside to throw down a challenge under Ronan Whelan.

However, My Mate Alfie found extra in the last 50 yards, sticking his head down in admirable fashion to beat Thunderbear by three-quarters-of-a-length with Big Gossey a neck back in third.

That winner saw jockey Colin Keane reach the 100 mark for the season.

Ger Lyons said: “He keeps making us look good! This was an afterthought, and I’ve just let him freshen up since the Curragh.

“I said to Austin (Whelan, owner) to let me teach him how to sprint. I’m always moaning that Irish sprinters need practice where the English get them every week so if I didn’t run him then I’m not living up to what I’m asking for.

“He’s improved from run to run and we should have huge fun with him next year.

“Take the blinkers off him and he just goes to sleep. He’s a different horse with headgear.

“Six (furlongs) is grand. He does get further but we won’t fix what is not broken and he can travel next year when the conditions suit.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.