Lyons & Keane double-up with Blue Uluru

Blue Uluru bounced back to form in the Listed Kilfrush Stud Abergwaun Stakes, completing a double on the card for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane.

Successful at Navan and the Curragh earlier this summer, the daughter of Choisir disappointed on her last two outings when tried over six furlongs.

Back to the minimum trip this evening, she was sent off a 9/1 chance, and raced toward the head of affairs throughout.

She was ridden over a furlong from home and had a good battle with Hit The Bid from there, getting on top in the closing stages before going on to score by three parts of a length.

Hit The Bid (8/1) had to settle for second under Chris Hayes for Darren Bunyan, while the 9/4 favourite Different League was another half a length back in third.

Lyons, who was on the mark earlier with Gold Jasmine said afterwards: "She doesn't get six (furlongs) at the minute, she might do in time but she is very fast and idles in front.

"The plan was to jump and run and 'don't take back' today. We'd have been delighted with third and put her away for the winter and hope like she would progress into something like this next year.

"But she has won her black-type now, has speed and is a very valuable commodity now at the moment.

"She did a lot of growing from two to three and if she continues to grow, we could have a real, good quality sprinter for next year.

"I think we'll stop with her now; there is the Mercury Stakes for her or else we could travel her but I think we'll look after her now until next year."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards requested a report from G.M.Lyons, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Blue Uluru, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Mr. Lyons reported that a drop back in trip to 5 furlong was the contributing factor to bring about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanation offered.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes