THE Ballycorus Stakes proved a real triumph for the Ger Lyons yard with Dr Zempf and Straight Answer both bouncing back from disappointing efforts to provide the Glenburnie trainer with a one-two in the Group 3 feature over seven furlongs.

Dr Zempf was recording his second stakes race win at the track this season having landed the Listed 2000 Guineas Trail before dropping away tamely last time when upped to a mile in the Tetrarch Stakes.

Colin Keane sent the son of Dark Angel to the front over a furlong out and the 13/8 favourite soon asserted to score by two lengths, with stablemate Straight Answer finishing strongly from off the pace to touch off the front-running Pretreville for the runner-up spot.

“The wheels are back on the wagon in no uncertain terms,” said Lyons before adding: “I never had a doubt that he would get a mile and I was wrong. Colin said that he is strengthening up all the time. He did that really well and I would say that is his best performance. He loved the ground.

“He shows me plenty of speed at home that we could bring him back to six, but Colin said don’t do that. I’d say his future will be in America for Peter (Brant, owner) and I’d say that is where he will win his Grade 1 around two bends.

“That was a lovely run from Straight Answer. We were baffled with his run in the Lacken – I’m not sure if he hit the ridges or what happened. Rory and Barry (Mahon) are adamant that the pedigree suggests he goes further. He hasn’t missed a day since the Lacken and Gary (Carroll) said he’ll win one of those over a mile.”

Gilligan’s first

Danny Gilligan, brother of successful riders Liam and Jack and son of Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Paul, added to his family’s roll of honour when partnering his first winner aboard Plunkett in the Leopardstown Members Apprentice Handicap.

The 16-year-old gave the Mark MacNabb-owned 100/30 joint-favourite a polished ride, quickening up between horses to lead inside the final furlong and staying on well to beat Earls by a comfortable two and a half lengths.

“I’m apprenticed to Fozzy Stack and it’s great to get that winner as I’ve had five seconds. I got plenty of experience pony racing and rode about 90 winners at that,” said Gilligan.

Trainer Paul Flynn was full of praise for the apprentice, saying: “He gave him a great ride and I’d say that’s the way he wants to be ridden as he does a bit too much when he gets there. He didn’t have a great preparation for the Curragh the last day and I’d say he just blew up. We’d like to go to Galway and he may have to run again to get into the good race. I think he prefers seven.”

Foley excited

Bagenalstown trainer Pat Foley is excited about Yerwanthere after justifying good support on her debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

The Jim Browne-owned daughter of Markaz, available at 33/1 overnight and backed into 12/1, made headway on the outer to lead over a furlong out under Liam McAteer and kept on well to beat Sareeha by two and three-quarter lengths.

“She works like a very good filly and is a half-sister of Yermanthere who was rated 92. She is definitely listed class and the best I’ve had. She’s a very straight forward filly, very sound and easy to train,” said Foley.

Lee gets a Helpmeout

BILLY Lee matched Colin Keane’s winner on the evening to stay one ahead (36-35) in the flat jockeys’ championship when well-backed 7/2 favourite Helpmeout also challenged on the outer and got on top in the final 100 yards to beat The Last Swallow by one and three-quarter lengths in the mile Leopardstown Handicap.

Winning trainer Willie McCreery said: “I’m delighted for Jimmy and Ciara (Murphy). He bought the mare, Joyce Compton, that I trained to win and this is the first foal out of her. I think he’s going to retain this filly as she’s scopey and strengthening up the whole time.

“Billy is riding great and gave her a lovely confident ride. He gave her all the time in the world and a nice clear run up the straight.”

Giladah goes in

McCreery went close to doubling up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap with Coill Na Sionainne but the top-weight just had to give best to the Chris Hayes-ridden Giladah (5/1-7/2) in the closing stages. “She’s a very well-bred filly. I trained the dam (Tarfasha) who was second in the Oaks and won the Blandford and I also trained the first two out of the dam who were both stakes horses,” said successful owner/trainer Dermot Weld.

“She showed a good attitude as she had to come through a gap and then fight hard to win.”

Fairytale result for Complete Fiction

OWNER Triona Burbage was very much hands-on when leading up Complete Fiction (28/1) who came from well back early in the straight, finding plenty on the outer for Rory Cleary to ultimately beat Philly’s Hope by a length and a quarter in the Manguard Plus Handicap.

“Triona comes into the yard every day and does everything with him. He’s promised so much on the gallops at home but never delivered. We always knew there was a race in him and his attitude is much better since he’s come back off a break,” said trainer Jarlath Fahey, who was quickly following up his first winner of the season at Listowel last Saturday.

Harry’s handicap

Punters had better fortune in the other big field handicap on the card, the Bulmers Secret Orchard Live At Leopardstown June 16th Handicap, where Harry’s Legacy benefitted from a patient ride by Wayne Lordan. The 4/1 chance, trained by Henry de Bromhead for Oliver and Clare Byrne, led a furlong out to beat the fast-finishing Extensio by a length and a quarter.

Lordan said: “He had a nice run the last day coming off a break. His form was a little bit in and out and Henry said to take my time the last day so we tried not to change it today. I had to swing wide off the bend but I didn’t want to break his rhythm and a big galloping track like this suits him.

“He still feels a bit babyish so there might be more to come.”