'Exciting' Acanella wins on debut

Debutante Acanella held no big-race entry prior to the running of Leopardstown's Leopardstown Racecourse Maiden today but the Ger Lyons trained, Juddmonte-owned filly will now rise in class having won impressively under jockey Colin Keane.

The daughter of Dansili raced prominently throughout the mile contest, led over a furlong out and in the end beat fellow newcomer Climate a half-sister to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Power, by two lengths.

In contrast to other big flat yards, Lyons prefers his horses to earn big-race entries and following Acanella's fine display, the trainer's brother and assistant Shane Lyons stated “she did today what we have seen at home.

“We’ve always liked her, she’s very professional and has a marvellous pedigree.

“We didn’t think she would be ready to run until the middle of May but being by Dansili we took advantage of the little bit of juice in the ground. It’s beautiful ground here.

“We’ll look forward to her. What they have in mind for her I’m not sure but it’s going to be exciting because that’s what she has been showing us at home.”

Champion Jockey Keane was completing a double on the day, having won the opener on the Dermot Weld trained Alazenya

Quotes from Alan Magee