Juncture approaches Classic crossroad

Juncture offered Classic clues in winning the opening black-type race of the year today, as Ger Lyons' 1,000 Guineas entrant impressively won Dundalk's featured Listed Patton Stakes.

The daughter of Dark Angel had previously finished second in the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes last July and today, under Colin Keane, returned with a rout of an eight-runner field, beating runner-up Morning Soldier by six lengths.

Having passed the line, Juncture bounded along on another circuit with her tank full, moving in the manner of a filly going places.

Lyons' brother and assistant Shane Lyons later commented “this filly was Ger's pick last year and was going to be our Moyglare filly but didn't get there.

"She has been back in early and has been working well. This was the perfect starting point for her as she was fit, so we weren't surprised she did that.

"We'll get her home and we'll talk to the Abdullah family but she'll go for a Guineas Trial now. She has always been held in the highest esteem by us."

Juncture has both Irish and English 1,000 Guineas entries and Lyons added "she wants good ground and the English Guineas is usually good or better but we'll see."

Quotes from Michael Graham