Lyons & Keane double up with a second-string

Ger Lyons and stable jockey Colin Keane combined to win the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden at Fairyhouse today with the yard's second-string Heavenly Rainbow (8/1), which made a winning debut.

Lyons sent out 2/1 favourite Palabres under 7lbs claimer Sean Davis, for the race but with Champion Jockey Keane unable to ride the 'jolly' under a feather 8st6lbs, was left to ride second-string Heavenly Rainbow, with 8st13lbs.

In the race, Palabres failed to quicken in the home straight and in the end Heavenly Rainbow picked up well to lead close home and defeat Lethal Turbo by a head.

Lyons later said “we liked him (Heavenly Rainbow) but that was a surprise. We had Treasuring by the same sire (Havana Gold) last year and they just show you the minimum at home and seem to come alive on the track. With everything we've seen at home we still didn't think he'd be able to beat the filly (stablemate Palabres) at the weights.

“It's nice as it's another one that Colin bought to breeze and sold to Vincent (Gaul). They have a nice record together and had that nice horse last year that broke his leg at Naas (Would You Believe).

“We sold him to Vincent with the view that he could be a cheap little Royal Ascot kind of runner but I wouldn't think so and we'll just have a look at what we have at home.

“He's qualified now for this series which is a huge bonus to everybody. Vincent hasn't that much to run this year so hopefully he'll pay his way and give him a bit of fun.”

“She's (Palabres) run below par tonight so I have to speak to Sean (Davis, jockey) and see what happened there.”

Lyons and Keane were completing a double on the day, having won the opener with Hyperlapse

Quotes from Gary Carson