Trainer Ger Lyons was understandably emotional following the win of his Medicine Jack in the opening Merryn Lacy EBF Median Auction Maiden at Navan today, a race run in memory of a young friend of the family.

Medicine Jack was prominent under Colin Keane throughout and in the end quickened clear of his rivals inside the final furlong for a four and a quarter lengths win over Magnification

“He's a horse we like and he's still a bit weak but has a great temperament and you'd like to think he'll be a proper Listed/Group horse.

“He ran too buzzy at Newbury and it was a trainer error running him (so soon following his debut) but we've put it behind us today and hopefully he'll have a bright future now.

“While all the others are shooting at the Coventry he might go for the Railway (at the Curragh).”

Lyons' popular morning blog today mentioned the passing of “our little pal Merryn Lacy who recently lost her battle with neuroblastoma. I'm delighted that some of her friends and family will be joining us for the days racing.”

Following the win, an emotional Lyons added “it's nice to win that race as it's in memory of a friend of ours.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson