Toccata Blue displays admirable battling qualities

Having bagged a brace of winners in Down Royal on Saturday, Ger Lyons and his new stable-jockey Colin Keane doubled-up again, with Adroit and Toccata Blue in Gowran Park yesterday.

Under ideal conditions — seven furlongs on fast ground — the tough, pint-sized Toccata Blue displayed admirable battling qualities under a five-star ride by Keane to land the featured Best Of Luck Kilkenny Hurlers Handicap by a half-length from In Salutem in a blanket-finish.

“I don’t think anybody could begrudge the little horse a win like that,” commented Lyons. “Colin gave him a super ride. He said they went mad in front, he took his time but, when he got there, the little horse was very brave.”