Ocean's Breath gives trainer Ger Lyons his first win of 2026
FIRST WIN: Ocean's Breath and Colin Keane win for trainer Ger Lyons. Pic: Healy Racing.
Trainer Ger Lyons registered his first success of 2026 when Ocean’s Breath readily justified 4/7 favouritism in the six-furlong Dundalk Stadium Open All Summer Maiden in Dundalk.
Vincent Gaul’s Bated Breath colt, always handy, won with ease, beating Allsortz by three lengths and providing Colin Keane, back from Newmarket where he rode Juddmonte stars Fields Of Gold and Publish in the morning, with the second leg of a Wednesday double.
“He had two nice runs last backend, but was still lethargic and a bit of a slob the second day," commented Keane.
"But he has done well and got stronger over the winter. I’d stick to six furlongs for the moment, but I wouldn’t rule out going an extra furlong. He should develop into a premier handicap horse, or better.”
And Shane Lyons added: “He’s a big-framed colt and has reaped the benefit of the two runs last autumn. He was very professional. And I’m delighted for (owners) Vincent and Geraldine, good supporters of ours. We’ll see what mar he gets and that will tell us the route we’ll go.”
Colin Keane had initiated his double on board the Danny Murphy-trained 6/4 favourite An Laochmor, who followed-up his breakthrough win over at Lingfield, in the 0-60 five-furlong handicap.
“He still looks well-handicapped and will probably travel again – and we might run him on the grass over the summer,” said Murphy.
The BAR 1 Betting-sponsored fillies maiden over an extended mile and a quarter produced a very pleasing outcome for trainer Donnacha O’Brien and Skara Glen Stables as they provided a notable 1-2 with Camelot fillies Emmeleia and Eretria.
Victory went to the Gavin Ryan-ridden 6/5 favourite Emmeleia, a filly with experience, beating her stable-companion by three-quarters of a length with a six lengths gap to third.
“She’s a nice filly and there’s plenty of stamina in her pedigree," O'Brien stated.
"I think she has improved and they pulled well clear, which is a good sign. They have been working nicely, together at home and look two nice prospects. I was eager to get a start into Eretria on a sound surface and she should improve plenty.”
Before turning his attention to Good Friday's action at three venues, Ado McGuinness saddled Clomacash (Sam Coen) to take the Put The Fun Into Fundraising Handicap in a blanket-finish, beating I Bid You Ajou by a half-length.
“He doesn’t always start well, but puts his best foot forward late on," McGuinness explained.
"He’s a solid, fun horse and was very unlucky here the last day. Sam gets on well with him and his 3lb. claim clearly helped.”
Successful over course and distance in January and now 8lb. higher, Stone Bear struck again in the New Saddle Bar At Dundalk Handicap, travelling strongly for Siobhan Rutledge before asserting and beating 50/1 shot Bullet Bourbon.
The winner is trained by Ross O’Sullivan, who said: “She had a terrible draw the last day and was too keen. Today worked out perfectly – they went fast, she got cover and picked up well.
"She’s progressive and might come back here for a five-furlong, three-year-old handicap in three weeks’ time.”
