Gary Caroll, a top man in the apprentice ranks in 2009 and 2010 and now a key part of the Ger Lyons operation, is the rider in form at Naas this evening, winning two of the first three races. Carroll is one hundred per cent for the session after his win on Three Bells for Pat Downey in the Queally Group Supporting Naas Parish Community Handicap.

Three Bells, a morning price market mover and eventually dispatched as a 13/2 shot, came with his challenge from behind the leaders in the final quarter mile of this six furlong sprint.

The seven-year-old Moss Vale gelding led inside the final furlong and he kept I Will Excel and Zylan at bay by half a length and a short head.

Downey stated in the aftermath: "He always comes this time of year, and he's really taken up the last few days. He's been disappointing when the few I've ran have run well.

"He's in over seven furlongs at Down Royal, and I'd say he'll definitely run. He ran in Galway once and will not go there."

Carroll's earlier win came on the Sheila Lavery trained Mr Scarlet in the opener.

(AM & EM)