Madeleine Tylicki, her brother Freddy and outgoing Naas manager Tom Ryan after Port Lions' win© Photo Healy Racing
Port Lions (8/1) had the final say on Naas’ 8-race programme, taking the concluding Thank You Tom Ryan Handicap for trainer Madeleine Tylicki and rider Billy Lee.
Tylicki’s brother, former-jockey Freddy, was on hand to welcome back the Lions Partnership-owned winner to the number one, after he’d beaten Eastern Racer (9s into 7s) by a length and a half.
It was half a length to third placer Star Quality in a race where Port Lions was really strong inside the final furlong.
“We were very disappointed with him at the Curragh the last day but things didn’t go right and we just had to draw a line through it. That’s exactly him today, that’s him at home and he has loads of ability," said the winning trainer.
“We’ll have loads of fun with him for the rest of the year. He did it well and I’m very pleased with him.”
For his part Freddy Tylicki explained: “We bought him last year at the October Sales. He ticked a lot of the boxes for us as he likes firm ground and had some serious form around Dundalk, so we have a horse for the all-weather as well as the turf.
“I’m delighted for Madeleine. A few lads own him with me. Unfortunately they couldn’t come over but we’ll have a little celebration anyway.”
(AM & EM)
