Well-backed Diderot off the mark for Lyons and Keane

Gelded after a promising debut third in November and very strong in the market all day (from as big as 10/3 early this morning), the 11/10 favourite Diderot duly obliged in the Hollywoodbets Proudly Sponsors ‘The Finishing Line’ Podcast Maiden.

Colin Keane sat second on the Bated Breath 3-year-old and brought him through to lead a furlong and a half out. Soon tackled by Hamwood Flier (11/2), he ran around a bit but asserted in the final furlong to see off that one by a length and three quarters. Powerful Aggie (6/1) stayed on to grab the third spot a further two and a half lengths away.

Shane Lyons, assistant to winning trainer Ger Lyons, said: “He's still very green and a work in progress.

“Colin rides him a lot at home. He said he gave him a beautiful ride, did everything right, went a good gallop, but he was just still green.

“He'll come on for that mentally and we'll see how he comes out of the race. He appreciated that real good ground so that's something to factor in. There are no plans but he'll improve massively.”

Quotes from Gary Carson