Greek Canyon (centre) gets up to beat Caprella (right) with Battleroftheboyne (left) back in third © Photo Healy Racing
On his first start of 2012 Greek Canyon bounced back to form to land the 3yo Naas Racecourse Handicap for trainer Ger Lyons with Gary Carroll in the saddle. Caprella (13/2) for Paul Deegan & Pat Smullen raced prominent early on and hit the front before the halfway stage.
She then asserted over a furlong out but found little close home as the winner responded best to his jockeys urgings, getting up to win by just a head at the line. Battleroftheboyne for Ben Curtis and Michael Mulvany finished a further length back in third at 16/1 while the 9/4 favourite Royal Visit for Johnny Murtagh and John Oxx finished a disappointing eighth.
8/1 shot Khaos reared up and unseated his rider Sam James just after leaving the stalls.
The winning son of Moss Vale won his maiden at Cork last May on his third start and then won a Nursery at Gowran in August on his second start in handicap company.
He then ran a decent race to finish just five lengths fourth to Wrote in a Nursery at Galway in August before he disappointed on his last start of 2011, finishing a well beaten eighth in the Birdcatcher over the course and distance in October.
Having opened at 11/1 this morning, he drifted out to 16/1 and opened at that on course before being backed into 14/1, the price he was returned at.
Winning trainer Ger Lyons said afterwards: "He is a lovely little horse and that was his third win. He is very genuine.
"He has been leading the 2yo's at home and he does everything we ask of him. That type of trip over six or seven furlongs suits him.
"He is a genuine horse and that was a good, tough performance."
Donal Murphy & Gary Carson
