Harbour Beacon out to give Lyons a third win in Red God handicap in four years

Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Red God' Handicap | 1m2½f | 3yo+ | ATR

Ger Lyons, always a force to be reckoned with at Dundalk, has been successful in this valuable handicap twice in the past four years and is represented today by Harbour Beacon.

Colin Keane's mount, drawn in stall one, is blinkered for the first time. Winner of a maiden over the course and trip in April, he will be making his handicap debut on his return from a 104-day break.

The 14-runner line-up includes several other course-and-distance winners including the seasoned pair Political Policy, whose eight wins at the track include two over today's trip, and Poitin, who has two course-and-distance wins to her credit from five successes at the track.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Political Policy, said yesterday: "He ran well when third at the Curragh last time and is in good order. But he's not as well handicapped on the all-weather and will need every yard of the trip."

Aidan O'Brien runs De Coronado, a brother to the mighty Zenyatta. He won a mile maiden at the course a year ago, but has proved disappointing in three starts this season.

De Coronado: won a mile maiden on the Polytrack last month and can score againCredit: Patrick McCann

Three-time course winner Ringside Humour represents Jim Bolger while Johnny Feane runs two course winners, Spruce Meadows and Power Grid.

Feane said: "Both of them are in good order. Spruce Meadows didn't have much luck at Galway last time and is coming back to what is probably his optimum trip.

"Power Grid had his first run of the year at the Curragh last month and ran nicely over what was an inadequate trip. His high draw is a bit of a concern."

Tonkinese, twice successful over shorter trips last season, will be making a belated reappearance and his trainer Mick Halford said: "Although he hasn't raced this year, he's been kept busy at home and has run well fresh before. He's in good form."

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