'There could be a big pot in him' - Lyons team dreaming with Power Under Me

Sunday: Cork

The sprint division in Ireland is crying out for a horse to stick its head above the parapet and prove themselves a cut above the rest and while the Ger Lyons-trained Power Under Me could only manage a narrow success in the Cork Stakes, the feature of the day, it was a performance that suggested there could be bigger days ahead.

Power Under Me looked booked for second as Mooneista travelled best down to the furlong marker but Colin Keane, as he does time and time again, galvanised Lyons’s unexposed sprinter to get the better of the filly and win by a neck.

The victory was made all the more impressive by the fact that Power Under Me is better when there is juice in the ground and Shane Lyons, assistant to his brother Ger, nominated British Champions Day as a possible long-term target.

Lyons said: “That's as quick as he wants it – he grows another leg when there is juice in it. Colin said he's got very strong over the winter and has matured big time.”

“One day, if all the conditions went in his favour, there could be a big pot in him. He'll be entered for all the big sprints later in the year – the Haydock Sprint Cup and British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot. He goes well over six furlongs and the softer the better for him.”

Amo Racing double

Kia Joorabchian is quickly becoming a recognisable figure in Irish racing and the man behind Amo Racing made a worthwhile trip to Cork to see his colours carried to victory aboard newcomers Princess Olly and Crispy Cat.

Princess Olly, trained by Adrian Murray, who is associated with major breeze-up consignor Robson Aguiar, made most to take the opening three-year-old fillies’ maiden under Rossa Ryan.

Aguiar said: “She did it well and is a nice filly. We sent her to Adrian two weeks ago and she has done everything well and settled well. She proved what she can do.

"I think she will improve as we looked after her and she hasn't been drilled at home. She relaxed today and did the job.”

Joorabchian, a well-known sports agent, was on hand to welcome back his winners and, speaking after the opening race, he said: “We are loving Irish racing. We've had good success at the start of the season.

"We've known the trainers here for a little while and it was just about time that we got into it. Hopefully we will have more and more in Ireland.”

Joorabchian did not have to wait long for his next winner as Crispy Cat, trained by Michael O’Callaghan, announced himself as a classy juvenile in landing the two-year-old maiden.

O’Callaghan said: “He's quite smart and hopefully he will be going to Royal Ascot and a stiff five furlongs will suit him. He'll probably go to the Listed First Flier Stakes at the Curragh next."

Results, replays and analysis

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute