Lyons lands opening couple of races at Fairyhouse

Ger Lyons doubled up in race two at Fairyhouse, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden, as Shalaalaa (4/1 — 5/1 — 11/4 second favourite) prevailed.

Lyons also had odds-on favourite and eventual third home, Colour Sergeant in the field.

The market-leader got a bit tight for room inside the final furlong as Shalaalaa quickened best on the outer under Gary Carroll.

For Mark Fagan and Sean Davis Twilight Heir didn’t go un-backed at 8/1, and he ran a cracker for second, but he eventually had to yield to Shalaalaa by a short head.

Opening victor for Lyons was Luminesce in the juvenile fillies maiden, and Shalaalaa is by first season sire Shalaa.

“He's a horse that only does so much at home. He's very green,” said Lyons’ brother Shane.

“In his work he only just gets there so we knew he had the class.

“Gary said he handled the ground perfectly but said he was only getting going at the line.

“Seven furlongs is probably his trip. He only gives you so much which is the sign of a good horse.

“I think he'll improve buckets from that as it was his first day away from home and first day to see grass.

“We've only got tough with him not that long ago so there is plenty to improve on. We'll see how much he improves and then decide whether to looks at stakes races.

“The other horse just got a little bit squeezed out, through no fault of the two boys in front, and he would have been very green too.

“We always knew he wanted seven but the race was cutting up and we were only down the road.

“He's a classy horse but a very immature horse. He'll improve buckets for it too.”

(GC & EM)