Lyons expecting big things from Obliterator

Ger Lyons is looking forward to seeing what Obliterator can do when he starts his three-year-old campaign in the ebm-papst Feilden Stakes at Newmarket today.

The Oratorio colt, co-owned by Qatar Racing, has several lofty entries, including in the Qipco 2000 Guineas, and won his only race to date in highly promising fashion at the Curragh in September.

Lyons has brought Obliterator to Newmarket in search of suitable ground and to give him vital experience.

“He’s a lovely, gorgeous-looking colt,” said the Co Meath handler.

“He won his maiden well and there’s no reason than he needs top of the ground. We don’t have that in Ireland and we don’t have the race for him, so it’s an obvious place to show our hand.

“I think he’s a potential 10-furlong horse, so rather than going up two grades and straight into a Guineas I wanted to see him in a Listed race.

“Nine furlongs will suit and the most important thing is the ground. I couldn’t be happier with the horse.

“The only negative is we have to travel to do it, but that’s what we’ve got to do. He’s travelled well and it will all be part of the experience.”

Richard Hannon is happy with his two runners, Barley Mow and Truth Or Dare, as they embark upon their three-year-old campaigns.

“Barley Mow will appreciate both this extra furlong and the more conventional track, and, hopefully, he can make amends here,” said Hannon.

“We also run Truth Or Dare, who showed himself a smart colt, too, last year, and we are looking forward to getting him going again.”

Meanwhile, Toormore aims to become the latest horse on everyone’s lips for the Qipco 2000 Guineas when he makes his eagerly-awaited reappearance in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow.

Last season’s champion two-year-old will have to do something extraordinary if he is to challenge Kingman at the head of the market following his sensational performance in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Toormore earned his place as the number one juvenile colt after going through his two-year-old campaign unbeaten in three races, culminating with victory in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh.

Richard Hannon’s charge was among six horses declared for the Craven over the Rowley Mile.

Toormore has to carry a 3lb penalty, as does stablemate Anjaal, winner of the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket.

He was fourth to War Command in the Dewhurst Stakes on his only subsequent start.

Be Ready is well thought of by Godolphin and the Saeed bin Suroor-trained colt looked a promising type when beating the Hannon-trained Barley Mow by three lengths in a Listed race at Doncaster in September.

The Grey Gatsby was highly tried last term, finishing second in both the Acomb and Champagne Stakes before being unplaced in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

Completing the sextet are Marco Botti’s Patentar, who won his only start in good style at York, and the Luca Cumani-trained Postponed, runner-up to Oklahoma City in the £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2YO Trophy at Newmarket.