Lyons on fact finding mission with Naomi Lapaglia Having been bought for big money at the December Mare Sale at Tattersalls last year, Naomi Lapaglia makes her first start for trainer Ger Lyons in the Group 3 Park Express Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday. A novice stakes winner at Kempton on her debut for Richard Spencer, the daughter of Awtaad later won a Newmarket handicap off a mark of 81. Steadily progressing through the ranks, the five-year-old has reached the frame in Listed and Group 3 races since stepping up in class. Bought for 475k, the Eleanora Kennedy owned mare is one that is pleasing connections ahead of her intended reappearance at the weekend. Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: "We acquired her in December. "She is a fine, strong-looking filly and we are getting to know her. She is very pleasing at home, she does her work and everything like that. "We'll know an awful lot more at the weekend. "She is a very good-moving horse and, the ground that will present itself on Saturday, she will go on that." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
