Lyons aiming for Gowran glory

Ger Lyons and Colin Keane are represented in the two races of chief interest at Gowran on Sunday and punters would be well advised to keep the formidable combination on side.

Lyons and Keane have impressive statistics at the picturesque County Kilkenny venue and the in-form Glenburnie team are represented in two races, the www.gowranpark.ie Handicap and the concluding Follow Gowran Park On Facebook Race.

The www.gowranpark.ie Handicap carries the biggest purse of the day and Lyons saddles the smart three-year-old Dandyleekie against a field of older horses.

One would have thought that an animal from the Classic generation would be well equipped to face elder rivals at this stage of the campaign and this son of Dandy Man reverts to handicap company with claims following a satisfactory reappearance run behind Irish 1,000 Guineas sixth Tamadhor at Fairyhouse.

The County Meath-based trainer and jockey have Lat Hawill for the Qatar Racing team in the Follow Gowran Park On Facebook Race.

Choice may be limited for punters in this extended nine-furlong event, with just four runners going to post, but it is a wide-open contest.

Judged on his recent runner-up finish behind British raider Heaven's Guest in the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes at Naas, Lat Hawill is entitled to at least put it up to the higher-rated Clonard Street

It will be interesting to see whether the application of blinkers and a tongue-strap bring out a little improvement in Royal Navy Ship and Space Ship completes the field.

Aidan and Joseph O'Brien are responsible for Royal Navy Ship, who carries the Michael Tabor silks, and the same trio have Air Vice Marshal in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden.

Having run a promising third on debut, there is every chance he can get off the mark at the second attempt.