Wyoyo routs rivals in apprentice race

Wyoyo turned the apprentice handicap at Down Royal into a procession as he powered clear of his rivals in the straight.

Colin Keane let his mount cruise into the lead before the bend in the mile-and-a-half contest and he pulled well away from his rivals when asked to quicken over two furlongs out.

The Ger Lyons-trained gelding galloped on strongly in the closing stages to record an impressive nine-and-a-half length victory. City Line sent off the 4/1 favourite, came through to claim the runner-up spot but had no chance with the winner.

Wyoyo had been third in a Navan claimer on his first start this season and had dropped a few pounds after a couple of fair handicaps efforts since.

Shane Lyons, the trainer's brother, said:- "It wouldn't have been the greatest race. Good ground did him good, he's a big horse and got stuck in the ground at Sligo.

“We fitted the tongue-strap which helped. Jumping could be his forte, he'll make a jumper. We'll keep him going over the winter at Dundalk."

(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)