Ring and Flower step up to Listed company

Fillies Spy Ring and Wayside Flower tackle Listed company for the first time today in a race at Naas.

Spy Ring, trained by Michael O'Callagan, and Wayside Flower, from the stable of Ger Lyons (below), are among a field of 13 for the Coolmore Stud EBF Fillies' Stakes (15.40) over six furlongs. Former British champion jockey Kieren Fallon, who is now number one rider at O'Callaghan's yard, and Colin Keane, who rides for Qatar Racing in Ireland, are the two men at the reins.

Both fillies ran excellent races on their first and only starts to date Spy Ring won narrowly at Cork nine days ago in a 10-runner maiden, while Wayside Flower finished second at Naas earlier this month. Beaten a short-head by the winner Cuff, she faces that rival again today. Lyons could have sent his filly for another maiden, but says of today's step up in class: ‚"It will tell us if we are ready or not for Royal Ascot.‚"

O'Callaghan says of Spy Ring: ‚"I'm delighted with how she came out of her first race and I think the step up to six furlongs will see more improvement.‚"

Keane also teams up with Lyons when Restive (handicap, 15.45) lines up on the same card, while Sheikh Fahad (pictured below in Qatar Racing colours) will don Pearl Bloodstock silks to take part in the final race on the card, the Corinthian Challenge (17.45).

He rides the James Fanshawe-trained Landwade Lad in what is the first of a three-race series of charity races in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys. The second race will be over the Irish Derby distance on Oaks weekend at the Curragh, and the final leg is a 10-furlong race at Leopardstown in the autumn. Information on how to donate to each of the riders can be gained via www.corinthianchallenge.com

The winners have been rolling in for Qatar Racing, and two more were added to the score yesterday when Sabrewing won for Robert Cowell's stable at Catterick and Lustrous Light obliged for Ger Lyons at Navan.