Sacrificial scores for Lyons & Keane

Ger Lyons and Colin Keane opened their accounts for the week at Galway as Sacrificial defied top-weight in the Bet Online At thetote.com Handicap.

The Showcasing gelding has progressed well this year and was recording his third win of the campaign having previously finished a gallant third in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The 7/2 chance ranged up on the outer to lead well over a furlong out, and kept on strongly to take this extended mile event. Lily's Rainbow was two and three quarter lengths back in second, with Emperor Bob taking third.

The 2/1 favourite Laganore was boxed in on the inner, and could only make some late headway to finish fifth. Cradle Mountain gave his supporters no run for their money when failing to come out of the stalls.

Gary Halpin and Billy Lee were both suspended two days for careless riding following enquiries into two separate incidents after the turn into the straight.

Lyons' brother and assistant Shane said, "Royal Ascot made a man of him. He had to lead a long way out then and we always thought he needed to be held up. The blinkers also did the trick. The ground was good for him too as it was on the easy side.

"Colin said without blinkers he would have wandered today. He's grown up and I think there is a nice handicap in him. Colin kept it simple and I was delighted the way he won. He was in the other race last night but we decided to bag this."

(GC & AM)