Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Bracken lands the first blow in Lyons one-two
GER IN CONTROL AS HEIGHT FOLLOWS HOME BRENDAN
BRENDAN BRACKAN notched-up his ninth career success when leading home a one-two for trainer Ger Lyons in the listed Glencairn Stakes in Leopardstown last night. Ridden by regular partner Gary Carroll, the tough and consistent eight-year-old was soon in front, poached a clear lead early in the straight and ran on strongly to beat stable-companion Elusive Heights by three and a half lengths. Lyons summed up his feelings about the winner. “He’s been a great servant to the yard and to Gary Carroll,” he said. “And we’ll see what comes up for him, at listed or Group 3 level.” Jessica Harrington continued her rich vein of form when Grandee captured the other listed event on the card, the King George V Cup. He dictated the pace and battled back well for Colm O’donoghue having been headed, to score by two and a quarter lengths from Eziyra. Harrington was uncertain about plans for Grandee, but suggested the Curragh Cup, on Irish Derby weekend, might be his next target. The Aidan O’brien-trained September (Seamus Heffernan) made an impressive debut in the opening two-year-old fillies maiden, quickening in great style to score by five and a half lengths. She could be very smart. Meanwhile, Tony Martin has booked Jamie Spencer to partner Laganore in the Group 3 Betway Pinnacle Stakes, over a trip just short of a mile and a half, in Haydock Park tomorrow. The filly went close against Turret Rocks in the Blue Wind at the Curragh last time. And, in the same race, Graham Lee will partner Henry de Bromhead’s, left, Island Remede, which bumped into Zhukova (went on to win the Man O’ War in Belmont Park) last time in Cork.