Telle Tackles Phoenix Field

Trainer Ger Lyons will send out his first Group One runner when Elletelle contests tomorrow's Independent Water'ford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

The filly has already bagged a Group Two win when lifting the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Curragh handler believes he has nothing to lose by tackling the colts this time.

'Everything has been 100% with her training and all the boxes are ticked bar one ? the ground,' said Lyons.

'It's yielding at the moment and drying but we are scheduled some rain. As long as we don't get too much it should be fine.

'It might be an unconventional route to take with her but what have I to prove in going for the Lowther? She has already won a Group Two so she would have a penalty in that.

'Henrythenavigator is the best two-year-old I've seen and he is going to take some whacking but if I'm only placed, at worst I'm Group One placed.

'I've nothing to lose and I didn't fancy crossing the water again, especially given the foot and mouth situation.

'The route I'm going to take her is the Cheveley Park. Hopefully we will have an Indian summer and the ground will be nice and quick.

'Racing is not about convention, it is about what is right for the horse. The Curragh is right beside me and even though I'm not lucky there, maybe I haven't had the right type of horse.

'There is not just Henrythenavigator though, The Loan Express wasn't far behind us at Ascot and Warsaw beat a nice one of mine (Irish Jig) earlier in the season.

'It's a Group One and I've never had a runner in a Group One before but in my opinion she has earned the right to run in one.'

(C) PA Sport