Lightening Pearl pleases Lyons

Ger Lyons was delighted to land a Group 3 for Sheikh Fahad al-Thani when Lightening Pearl and Johnny Murtagh took the six furlong Go And Go Round Tower Stakes for two-year-olds at the Curragh.

“Sheikh Fahad al-Thani sent me a good team of horses this year and it’s time I repaid him,” Lyons said.

“Her run in the Debutante Stakes [third behind Maybe suggested she was good enough to win this. She’s not very big but has a big heart.

“She was beaten by a very good filly in the Debutante [Maybe who runs in the Curragh’s 4.25 today]. It looks like the fillies are better than the colts this year.

“She has been Group 2 placed and is a Group 3 winner now and has done all I’ve asked of her.

“I’ll look at the Cheveley Park Stakes and the Redcar Trophy as there’s a big pot for that.

“A Group 1 is important so if we get a chance we’ll take it.

“The owner sponsors at Longchamp and there’s a mile race there for her so we’ll have to decide about that.”

Sheikh Fahad al-Thani races under the Pearl Bloodstock Ltd banner.

The daughter of Marju was returned 6/4 favourite. She drew away over a furlong out to come home five lengths clear of David Wachman’s Experience (9/2 from a morning show of 10/1).

Jim Bolger’s An Ghalanta at 4/1 was three parts of a length back in third of the six runners.

Michael Graham