Lyons targeting Grade One success with unbeaten Sacred Bridge

In-form trainer’s filly favourite for glory in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket

Sacred Bridge, with Colin Keane up,  brought her unbeaten run to four in last month’s Heider Family Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Sacred Bridge, with Colin Keane up, brought her unbeaten run to four in last month’s Heider Family Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Ger Lyons will hope to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his first Group One victory in style at Newmarket on Saturday.

The in-form trainer broke his top-flight duck with Lightening Pearl in the 2011 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes.

The same six-furlong fillies’ highlight is the unbeaten Sacred Bridge’s target where she will carry the sponsor’s colours.

Sacred Bridge brought her unbeaten run to four in last month’s Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh and is one of 15 fillies left in the Cheveley Park frame after Monday’s acceptance stage.

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Zain Claudette and Sandrine, first and second in York’s Lowther Stakes last time, are also among the contenders but the Irish star was quickly made a 2-1 favourite to emerge on top.

Joseph O’Brien has left in both Pennine Hills and Velocidad while the Naas winner Tenebrism could represent Ballydoyle.

Lyons has kept open the chance for a potential Group One double on Saturday with Dr Zempf engaged in the Middle Park Stakes.

The Curragh maiden winner chased home Ebro River in the Phoenix last month and is one of a number of Irish colts entered for the race – including Fozzy Stack’s Castle Star.

Michael O’Callaghan’s Twilight Jet has been supplemented after promising efforts in both the Gimcrack and Champagne Stakes while Glounthaune is one of a trio of Aidan O’Brien possibles.

Flat card

Topping the betting is Richard Fahey’s Perfect Power, winner of the Prix Morny on his last start and prior to that successful in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Saturday’s Mill Reef winner Wings Of War remains in contention for a quick follow up at the weekend.

Day three of Listowel’s Harvest Festival is a flat card featuring a Listed contest that looks a good opportunity for Roca Roma.

The Lyons team has always rated the filly highly and the form of her second to Pearls Galore in the Fairy Bridge at Tipperary last time looks strong on the back of the recent Matron Stakes.

This step up to nine furlongs shouldn’t be an issue for Colin Keane’s mount.

The season’s runaway top jockey can also strike on Mutasarref who has first-time cheek-pieces in an earlier maiden while that one’s stable companion Emilie Gray is sure to be fancied in her first handicap start.

The wide-margin Galway winner will love any juice in the ground but has to concede over a stone to Petticoat Rule.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column