Lyons to put Rain Delayed in Doncaster race

Ger Lyons is seriously considering sending Rain Delayed over to Doncaster for the Ladbrokes Portland on Saturday.

The County Meath-based trainer is never afraid to head across the Irish Sea, with Love Lockdown’s win at Kempton on Saturday highlighting the point.

Rain Delayed had his last run at York when narrowly denied by Ed McMahon’s useful Nobel Storm, who finished third in the Scurry Stakes earlier in the term.

Lyons said: “The Portland is an obvious race for him as there is nothing in Ireland until Dundalk.

“It will be hard for a three-year-old but with sprinters the more experience they get, the better – and that is what he needs for next year.

“You’d to think he’ll develop into a Group sprinter next year, but he needs the experience under his belt, which is what we are thinking about.

“He’ll improve for his run at York, but it’s all about teaching them how to sprint.”

The Henry Candy-trained Markab has been installed as the sponsors’ 5-1 favourite following his victory in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon.