Sea Wolf and Colin Keane© Photo Healy Racing
Sea Wolf booked his ticket for Royal Ascot with a convincing success in the Irish Stallions Farms EBF Habitat Handicap at the Curragh this afternoon.
Colin Keane settled in behind the leaders on the top-weight before producing the 5/1 shot to lead at the furlong pole.
The Ger Lyons-trained gelding kept on well in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-quarter success over Windsor Beach
It was third success in three visits at the track for Sea Wolf, who had landed the Irish Cambridgeshire last season.
“That was some performance under top weight in a big mile handicap here,” said Shane Lyons.
“It was a stepping stone to the Royal Hunt Cup. We were pot hunting basically and with a 5lb penalty that should guarantee we get into the Hunt Cup.
“That's the main objective, ground dependant. He likes to get his toe in to an extent. He will go on quick ground if it's safe but obviously if it's very very quick that'll be a different story. Other than that we'd be delighted to go for the Hunt Cup.
“It's the main objective for the whole year with this lad. He'll be lightly raced to that extent as after that we'll go for stakes races with him.
“He's been a good servant and we don't have to be racing him every other week to get where we are going with him.
“We'll have one more go at a handicap and we'll have to go stakes.
“We've always liked him and he's very genuine. He was in the Victoria Cup but we couldn't go as it was too quick and we fancied him for that. If it that's type of ground he won't go to Ascot.
“We're not surprised he's done that today and it'll pay for the boat to Ascot.”
