Strada shows his true worth

"That's more like it, that's what we've been seeing at home. That's twice he has run here and he has run well. That's what we see at home," said Ger Lyons after Strada Di Carsoli (5/1, from 13/2) took the Dundalk Stadium Maiden under Gary Carroll.

Carroll switched over to Strada Di Carsoli after Mittersill had to miss his engagement owing to a temperature, and in the end Sean Jones' victor had two and a quarter lengths in hand over the favourite, Schubert after soon dictating.

"The Curragh is baffling me, he ran away with Colin going down to the start," added Lyons.

"As Gary (Carroll) said he just needs to man up, he has plenty of ability. I'm going to geld him next week. Sacrificial was the same and I gelded him and I got the best out of him. Maybe that's the route I have to go with him. He's a gorgeous-looking horse.

"That's not a surprise to me. What has been a surprise to me is what he's rated."

The Stewards requested a report from G.M.Lyons, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Strada Di Carsoli (GB), placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer stated that this horse had run well here on its penultimate start but had raced a little green at the Curragh last time and as a result had not produced his best form. Today they decided to allow him to race prominently and he seemed to respond to the change of tactics. Having considered the report the Stewards noted its contents.

(MG & EM)