Lat Hawill (centre) and Colin Keane beating Clonard Street (right) and Space Ship© Photo Healy Racing
Lat Hawill who joined Ger Lyons this year from Marco Botti, took advantage of a good opportunity to take the Follow Gowran Park On Facebook Race.
The Invincible Spirit gelding faced just two rivals over this extended nine furlongs with Royal Navy Ship ruled out because of an allergy, and he went off the 11/10 favourite.
Outsider of the trio Space Ship set a steady pace and Colin Keane mounted his challenge in the straight striking the front just over a furlong out. Clonard Street was produced last of all and looked a big threat when moving alongside inside the final furlong.
However the Qatar Racing-owned gelding found more in the closing stages to prevail by three quarters of a length.
Lyons said, "It was a messy race but that is what you'd expect. The ground is as quick as he wants and he got badly jarred before he came to me.
"My biggest concern today was the trip though and we'll stick to seven and a mile with a bit of ease in the ground.
"He'll go for a Listed race next and we'll join the dots until the end of the season with him. We need these type of races and these conditions races need to be supported more."
Lyons was recording his 26th winner of the season, while Keane is second in the jockeys' championship on the 27 winner mark behind clear leader Pat Smullen (51 wins).
(TW & AM)
