GER LYONS is in confident mood as his smart juvenile, Love Lockdown, goes in search of a first Group success in Sunday’s Netjets Railway Stakes at the Curragh.
The grey was beaten just half-a-length on his debut at Naas and he has gone on to confirm that promise with three subsequent successes, most recently taking a hot Listed race at Cork in determined style.
As a result of that success, connections decided to supplement him for Sunday’s Group Two at a cost of €12,000, and Lyons believes he is the one they all have to beat.
“He’s very, very well and really made the decision to run himself,” he said. “He came out of the Cork race very well and I could have ran him in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot if I’d wanted, so he’s pretty straight forward. “I wouldn’t swap him for anything in the entries as he’s won his last three and I think he’s the one they’ll have to look at.
“He’s done everything I’ve asked of him so he definitely deserves an entry. Fast or soft ground won’t bother him.
“If it rained from now until Sunday I wouldn’t mind running him on heavy ground either as he’ll go on anything.”
Love Lockdown is one of 12 possibles for the race at the confirmation stage, with Aidan O’Brien leaving in Alfred Nobel, Beethoven and the unraced Viscount Nelson.
Jim Bolger has left in Eireannach, Kitty Kiernan and Shintoh, while In Some Respect, King Ledley, Moran Gra, Rock Jock and Rockin N Reelin complete the field.
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