Local lad Lyons opens account on Well Funded

Local rider Brendan Lyons had a day to remember when partnering his first winner under rules aboard first reserve Well Funded in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

There was plenty of drama at the second last where leader Contrapposto unseated rider and hampered Sequoiaspirit and Son Of Hypnos

The Eoin McCarthy-trained mare challenged up the inner approaching the last and, in an exciting finish, got up in the closing stages to beat the unlucky Sequoiaspirit by a neck with the always prominent Toms Courage just three-quarters of a length back in third.

Lyons (24), who rode two point-to-point winners, said “I kept my head down and kept rolling away to the line. I wasn’t sure if I’d got up until I came back in.

“I’m delighted to ride my first winner at my home track. I’m with Eoin six mornings a week.

“I didn’t know until the last second that he’d got in so I’m grateful for it.

“I grew up in Listowel and it’s fantastic to ride a winner here.

“This series gives everyone a chance and without there would be a lot of people struggling.”