Double for Lyons as Note obliges Harmonic Note shed her maiden tag on the seventh time of asking as she took the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Nursery Handicap, providing her trainer Ger Lyons with a double on the card. The daughter of Nayef had six runs on the turf to her name before today and was placed on three occasions. Having her first start on the all-weather she was sent off at 9/2 with Emmet McNamara in the saddle. Having chased the leaders in the early stages she improved from before the straight and was close up from two furlongs out. She disputed the lead with the 7/4 favourite Majestic Queen a furlong and a half from home and she stayed on best close home to get her head in front on the line. The Michael Hussey ridden, Tracey Collins trained Majestic Queen had to settle for second while Caged Lightning was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third under Declan McDonogh for Kevin Prendergast at 5/1. Rontique, who was sent off the 5/2 second favourite for Johnny Murtagh and Eddie Lynam, appeared to go wrong a furlong from home and was virtually pulled up, trailing in last of the eight runners. Ger Lyons said afterwards: "She ran well first time out at the Curragh but a lot of her runs have been on heavy horrible ground and I decided to come here with her to see what she would be like on a proper surface. "I will give her a good break now and obviously we would be hoping to get some blacktype with her next year. "Sheikh Fahad (of Qatar Racing Limited formerly Pearl Bloodstock) has been a good supporter of mine. He gave me my first Group 1 winner (Lightening Pearl) and I am glad to be on his team of trainers." (Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
