The Ger Lyons trained Toccata Blue was claimed following his win in the Total Produce Ireland Claiming Race at Dundalk today, which was the seven year old gelding’s sixth career success.

Regular jockey Colin Keane steered the son of Verglas to a hard fought length win over Wheels Of Fortune and following the race Toccata Blue was claimed for E15,000 by trainer John Larkin.

Immediately following the race Shane Lyons, representing his brother Ger Lyons, later commented “hopefully he’s not claimed because he’s a character in the yard but at the same time if he is claimed, that’s what he was put in. If he’s not claimed we’ll be happy to take him home as he’s a great schoolmaster and a lead horse for a lot of young horses.”

He added “it’s his 51st start and he’s been a great servant to us and Damian Nolan, who lives in Paris, has had him since he was a yearling.

“He never runs a bad race and the handicapper could handicap a race through him. We’re delighted to win a race with him.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson