Lyons full of pride after 'legend' Brackan powers in

Brendan Brackan was hailed as a legend by trainer Ger Lyons after giving the trainer a first success in the Tote Irish Lincolnshire, which was run at Naas for the first time yesterday.

A 16-1 shot, the eight-year-old powered home by a length and a half under Gary Carroll, beating Aussie Valentine, who was finishing second in the mile event for the third consecutive year.

It was an eighth victory for Brendan Brackan, and Lyons said: "He's a legend as far as everyone in our yard is concerned. He's won a Group 3 and three Listed races and he also won the big mile handicap at Galway by a street a few years ago. He goes on that sort of ground and had a dream run today.

"He got a lovely split on the inside into the straight. He showed his bit of class and I'm delighted to win my first Irish Lincolnshire. It's a race I've always wanted to win."

Happy days: connections with Irish Lincolnshire winner Brendan BrackanCredit: Patrick McCann

Lyons added: "We've always managed to keep the horse at Glenburnie when previous owners wanted to sell and we have him for keeps now. We'll see what the handicapper does before making plans.

"I'm thrilled for Gary [Carroll], who is a big part of our team. We're lucky to have him as number two to Colin [Keane]."

Keane rode the winner's stablemate Sea Wolf to finish third, looking to have a winning chance over a furlong out. "Colin said the ground just caught him out in the closing stages but he's run a very good race and there's plenty to look forward to with him," Lyons said.

Brendan Brackan is owned in partnership by David Spratt and Sean Jones while Sea Wolf, who finished half a length behind runner-up Aussie Valentine, is owned by Spratt.

The Richard Fahey-trained Spring Offensive, attempting to become the first British-trained winner of the event, finished fifth while the Dermot Weld-trained Sikandarabad, who started 4-1 favourite, was ninth.

Irish Lincolnshire result and analysis