Ger Lyons picks the right day to return to the races with fantastic four-timer

His visits to the racecourse have become as rare as hen's teeth in recent times, but Ger Lyons picked a good day to show off his pearly gnashers as a four-timer on day one of Irish Champions Weekend provided the Glenburnie trainer with plenty to smile about on his return to the track.

Lyons, who had not been seen racing since Even So won the Irish Oaks last summer, gobbled up the first two races on the card, landing the Listed Ingabelle Stakes with Panama Red and the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes with Atomic Jones before Camorra then made all in the Group 3 Paddy Power Stakes midway through the card.

The cherry, icing and sugar was well and truly put on top of the cake when Masen battled on best to take the concluding "Sovereign Path" Handicap. He, like Lyons' first two winners, was ridden by Colin Keane.

"I had intended to come back today," Lyons said after the opener. "I've been saying it all my career that you don't need trainers at the races – the staff do the job and they've proved it.

"We're here today because it's the biggest day on the Irish calendar. It's very important to us and we've targeted the meeting."

Lyons added: "Today was Panama Red's Derby as she's a work in progress. We know she's a miler for next year and we'll probably put her away now and let her grow up.

"We'll probably start her back in one of the trials, but I'll have a word and see what Colin thinks. Colin gave her a great ride, that's just him. We're just riding the wave with him and we're lucky to have him."

Lyons must have been thanking his lucky stars once again for Keane after the champion elect gave Atomic Jones a peach to win the Group 2 Champions Juvenile.

He said: "He's a big huge baby and I didn't even expect to be running him this year, never mind winning two.

"I'd say he's a smart horse and he has plenty of ability. He's done that without even knowing he's done it – just pure raw ability. I think he's typical of the sire – good, strong and dependable. We'd always start them at a mile [next year], but I'd say more than a mile will be his trip."

Atomic Jones and Colin Keane (blue cap) burst through to win the Champions JuvenileCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

From out of the shadows, Gary Carroll thrust himself into the spotlight aboard Lyons' Camorra, who benefited from a fine front-running ride.

Carroll grabbed the race by the scruff of the neck and dictated the fractions to suit before holding off better-fancied stablemate Thunder Kiss to win by just a neck at the line.

An increasingly hoarse Lyons said: "What a day. It's special because Gary is a huge part of the team and to get him a Champions Weekend winner was fantastic.

"He's a huge part of our outfit and is as nice a person you could meet. He's probably the best judge in Ireland so he's a huge addition to me. To use his experience to read the race and have the confidence to do what he did, it was the winning of it. Fair play to him."

The voice was just about holding together by the time Masen crossed the line in front to bring up a memorable four-time.

Lyons concluded: "It's what dreams are made of. The team deserve huge credit. As I said earlier, better be born lucky than rich."

Harrington helps herself to a treble

Lyons was not the only trainer on the card who was mopping up the winners. As well as helping herself to the first Group 1 of the weekend when No Speak Alexander landed the Matron Stakes, Jessica Harrington also bagged the Group 2 Boomerang Mile with Real Appeal and the €125,000 'Petingo' Handicap with Ever Present. Shane Foley was aboard all three winners.

"I don't think my heart will stand much more – it's still pounding," Harrington said after Real Appeal’s pulsating Boomerang triumph.

She added: "Shane came in and said Real Appeal is 10lb better here than any other racecourse. He's won three races here now and he does nothing but improve."

Jessica Harrington is congratulated during her fantastic three-timerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Ever Present's record at Leopardstown is not too shabby either, and he sprinted home in the 1m5f handicap to crown a memorable day for the Harrington team at the track.

Passing the mic over to Foley, the rider said: "Massive day. We had a few chances, but for it all to come together is amazing. It's great to be a part of this weekend and we are holding our own well."

Results, replays and analysis

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