Funk finds form to land Knockaire

The Ger Lyons-trained Psychedelic Funk bounced back to form to round off his season on a high by taking the Knockaire Stakes at Leopardstown this afternoon.

The five-year-old was sent to post an 8/1 shot for the Listed contest after a winless campaign before today's contest.

Gary Carroll took the mount on the Choisir gelding and he swept into the lead passing the two pole in the seven-furlong contest.

The chestnut found plenty in the closing stages to hold the challenge of Thiswaycadeaux by three-parts-of-a-length.

There was a further length-and-three-quarters back to Laughifuwant ridden by Lyons' stable jockey Colin Keane.

“Obviously it wasn't expected if Colin didn't ride him but I'm delighted for Gary. He normally gets more than that off us in a season, it's been slim enough pickings this year,” said Lyons.

“I'm delighted for him and delighted for Sean. There has been a lot of patience and he was in the sales this week. Gary rode him the last day and we said we'd give him another season.

“He's one of the old guys and we'll hold on to him. He's been suffering with allergies or something all year although I'm only guessing what it was. He was just off form.

“We didn't fancy him coming here but knew that he would handle the ground. If he was back to anything like his old self he was capable of doing that.

“It's a nice way to end the season. To be honest we were trying to be clever saying 'that's next year's Lincoln horse' but I'd say I've messed that one up!”