Gary Carroll stepped in for the winning spare ride on the Ger Lyons trained Mr Wendell at Gowran today as he steered the David Spratt-owned colt to justify 5/4 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden.

Lyons' Championship-chasing stable jockey Colin Keane finishes a two-day careless riding tonight and in his place his second-jockey Carroll steered the son of Excelebration to a three and a half lengths win over newcomer Teed Up

The winning trainer's brother and assistant Shane Lyons later said “he’s (Mr Wendell) a big baby, a work in progress. It’s grand to get the maiden out of the way.

“We dropped him back in trip because he does show a lot of speed but in time he will be stepping back up in trip when he knows how to race.

“A mile and a quarter plus on that ground would suit him and I think there is a nice race in him when he matures. The autumn could be a good campaign for him now that we know he likes that ground.”

Quotes from Alan Magee