SERIOUS JOY HAS LYONS MADE UP

Karl Hedley sends an update on the Flat action from across the Irish Sea

- Karl Hedley

The weather is really starting to heat up in Ireland and so too is the action on the Flat.

I have reviewed some of the performances that have really taken the eye over recent weeks and have provided quotes from trainers or jockeys of those horses who look to have decent prospects over the days and weeks ahead.

The Ger Lyons-trained Serious Notions gained a deserved win when recording a convincing success in a fillies' maiden at Roscommon at the beginning of the month. Colin Keane was to the fore early on the favourite, before following Second Princess in the 7f contest.

He took it up again turning for home on the Advertise filly and she stayed on strongly in the closing stages to post an easy five-and-ahalf length win over Castanets.

"She was entitled to do that, she obviously got her black-type as a two-year-old (when third in the Ingabelle Stakes)," said Shane Lyons. "The owners have been very patient with her. They are Irish/American and spend six months of the year over here and six months back in America. Unfortunately they've gone back to America.

"There is a lot of interest in her, for her pedigree. That's a box ticked now so we'll go and make a plan for the rest of the year and enjoy the year if she's not sold."

A stable star for Co Offaly handler Philip Byrne, Out On Friday, recorded a seventh career success in the ten furlong handicap later on the same card. Adopting his customary front-running role under Wesley Joyce, the eight-year-old Masterofthehorse gelding was ridden with less than two-furlongs to go.

His advantage was whittled away inside the final 200 yards and he was all out at the line to hold off the fast-finishing Slieve Binnian by a nose.

There was just a short head back to Annexation in third, also finishing with a flourish under Billy Lee.

The favourite, Bear Profit was another two-and-a-half lengths away in fourth.