"What do trainers know as I didn't want to run him the way the ground was. Because of his issues we always felt he wants top of the ground. We were hoping the rain wouldn't come and the ground could dry out a bit," acknowledged Ger Lyons after his 16/1 shot Ardhoomey landed the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes under Colin Keane at the Curragh.

Keane gave Ardhoomey (first-time tongue-strap) a patient steer in behind horses and he switched him right from the furlong pole to deliver his bid.

It soon came down to himself and Washington DC and in the end Ardhoomey edged things by half a length.

"We tucked him in today and put a tongue tie on to see if it helped. I suppose if you're not in you can't win," added Lyons.

"He's a pleasure to train, and I'm delighted for his owner, John Quinn from Kilcock. He also bred him, and it's the only horse he has.

"I think he can run in all the big races on fast ground next year."

(AM & EM)