Naas gearing to host Royal Ascot trialists

Breeders’ Cup hero Magnum Force will spearhead a strong Ger Lyons trained team of runners at Royal Ascot Trials Day this Sunday in Naas Racecourse with the card also hosting a fascinating rematch between Group 1 winners.

The flagship flat fixture at Naas Racecourse will air live on TG4 with a selection of races also being aired on ITV4 this Sunday and the eight race programme promises to provide Royal Ascot pointers aplenty.

Ger Lyons and stable jockey Colin Keane combined in Del Mar last November as Magnum Force saw off a loaded field to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and the colt will make his much anticipated seasonal debut in Sunday’s Sole Power Sprint Stakes.

"Magnum Force is starting his season off tomorrow and we are looking forward to him starting," Lyons said on Friday. "Unfortunately, he is starting against the older horses but he is a five furlong Grade 1 winner so we have little or no option. It is all about fast ground with him and it will be seldom you will see him on these shores this year, he'll be doing a lot of travelling and we are working back from the Breeders' Cup, hopefully we'll be travelling back to Del Mar with him in the autumn."

Lyons added: "He's in good order but he is a small little horse and taking on seasoned campaigners with runs at this time of the year so I just want a positive run from him."

Magnum Force will face six rivals on a quality card with the Adrian Murray-trained Group 1 winner Bucanero Fuerte returning to action. Bucanero Fuerte won the Group 3 Lacken Stakes on this card 12-months ago and will be the mount of David Egan.

Seasoned campaigner Big Gossey, Ostraka and Gutsy Girl are the other older horses in the line-up, while the progressive Powerful Nation and Saratoga Special will also represent the three-year-old division.

The showdown between Group 1 winners Whistlejacket and Babouche in the Goffs Lacken Stakes will spark much interest.

The Lyons-trained Babouche got the better of Aidan O’Brien’s Whistlejacket by a length and a half in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes last season before Whistlejacket went on to claim his own Group 1 winning the Prix Morny in Deauville.

Lyons said: "Babouche badly needed the run in Cork the other day and we are working back from Royal Ascot with her so hopefully she will step forward from that on Sunday. I'm hoping to see a positive run so that I know I'm aiming her right and she's going to Ascot in a good place.

"Herself and Whistlejacket look the two dominant forces and it will be interesting to see where she stands with him as both of them have had a run."

Three of the other four runners in the Goffs Lacken Stakes are course and distance winners at Naas. O’Brien also runs Treasure Isle, while last weekend’s winner Temperance makes a quick reappearance for Kate McGivern. David Egan will partner Carla Ridge who won her maiden last season for Eddie and Patrick Harty. The field is completed by two-time winner Bodhi Bear for Fozzy Stack who was second in the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final at Naas last October.

Lyons will saddle six runners in total on the card and another fascinating entry is the two-time winner Lady Iman who heads the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Blackbeard Fillies Sprint Stakes.

Lady Iman scored at Dundalk and the Curragh and faces seven rivals.

Lyons said: "This is a nice race for Lady Iman, it's where I want to be and it is good for the owners. I want to see her over six furlongs and we'll see what she does on Sunday and make a plan with the owners as to where she goes thereafter. This is a race I like, I've been trying to win it and have been placed in it numerous times so we are looking forward to her. We are going to the races with plenty of chances to fingers crossed"

Six of the eight runners are previous winners with Dawn Romance for Michael O’Callaghan and Signora for Aidan O’Brien making their debut. O’Brien will also saddle the beautifully bred Simply Astounding who won her maiden at Naas last month, while Joseph O’Brien relies on the very impressive Curragh winner Green Sense.

Adrian Murray is double handed with Curragh maiden winner Miami Destination joined by Dundalk winner Leblon Beach, while there will be British representation as Richard Hannon sends over Bath winner Saffron Dandy with Shane Foley booked to ride.

The listed Owenstown Stud Stakes has attracted a final field of 10 runners and looks set to be ultra-competitive as seven of the field are separated by just 4lbs on official handicap ratings.

Michael O’Callaghan’s Copacabana Sands is the highest rated but The Liffey is a notable runner for Joseph O’Brien having moved from Ballydoyle over the winter and O’Brien also runs recent Gowran Park winner Mataariki.

Racing gets underway with the Coolmore Stud The Antarctic Race in which Aidan O’Brien’s impressive Navan winner Charles Darwin will take on four debutants and Spring Is Here who was fourth to Lady Iman on debut.