'Robert' wins on debut for Lyons & Keane

Trainer Ger Lyons produced his second newcomer winner of the week at Down Royal today when his debutante Roibeard landed the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Auction Maiden under Colin Keane.

The son of Big Bad Bob had attracted market support for much of the day and went to post 5/2 favourite. Roibeard, translated as 'Robert' in Irish, did well to win and showed a nice turn of foot for a two and three parts of a length win over Dodgybingo

Afterwards Lyons, whose newcomer Bear Cheek was an impressive winner at Naas on Wednesday, stated "he's a typical Big Bad Bob and is owned by a syndicate including Peter and Ross Doyle (Bloodstock) - it's good for connections as they bred it and own the mare.

"He's not there yet and that's as fast as he wants but he's after doing it well. He'll improve buckets for it as he's a big, green baby and I could have waited a bit longer with him.

"We'll stick to seven (furlongs) with him.

I'm lucky up here for some reason, that's why we brought him up here and for the good ground. I'm a huge supporter of the bonus initiative (Plus 10 Bonus Scheme)."

Lyons won the corresponding race last year with Belle Et Bete.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham