Flame burns bright again at Tipperary Spanish Flame got on top in the closing stages to record back-to-back wins, at Tipperary this evening. The Phoenix Of Spain colt had opened his account in impressive fashion at Roscommon early last month and went to post 10/11 favourite in tonight's winners contest. Gary Carroll tracked market rival Portland (6/5) in the seven-and-a-half furlong contest and drove his mount to the front inside the final furlong. The chestnut stayed on well to the line to hold the finish of newcomer Bremen by a neck. Shane Lyons said:- "Ger absolutely loves this horse and we were delighted to be able to come here on ground which is on the easy side of good. "He is only learning, didn't handle Roscommon whatsoever and probably didn't handle here. He is still raw and green and he had to pull him around the bends but it is a great stepping stone for the Tyros (Stakes). "He is a fabulous horse and is over 500 kilos - I'm sure we've had ones that size before but they were never any good!" He added:- "Gary's comments were that if the winning post was a little further away, he'd have won by five lengths. "We've been very patient with him, he is exciting and it is all about next year." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
