Howd’yadoit left Ger Lyons “gobsmacked”, as Colin Keane timed it to perfection in landing the richly-endowed Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas on Monday.

Completing a treble on the day, Keane got up close home on the 13/2 chance – who had shed his maiden tag at the fourth time of asking at Down Royal last month – to hold off Unbreakable Duke by a nose.

Unbreakable Duke was subsequently demoted to third, with Summer Is Tomorrow promoted to second, following a stewards’ inquiry into interference.

British raider Jel Pepper (6/4 favourite) was fourth for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense was withdrawn by Joseph O’Brien due to unsuitable ground.

Lyons – who teamed up with Keane to land this race with Sacred Bridge in 2021 – admitted: “I’m gobsmacked, as I didn’t think he’d be good enough.

“What an honest horse, he’s been doing it well. We wanted to win a maiden en route to winning a nursery, but he (handicapper) hit him with a mark that I thought was ridiculous for what I felt was a poor maiden.

“We came here because it was a good pot, and I said any bit of the prize-money is grand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he’d win.”

He added: “I’m delighted as Sean’s (Jones, owner) horses are now bought for and named by his sons Eddie and James to keep them interested and they are here today. They are the next generation, so it’s great.

“Sean has been with me from day one and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”

Bred by Michael McGlynn, Howd'yadoit is from the first crop of Nando Parrado, a son of Kodiac who won the Coventry Stakes and now stands at the Irish National Stud.

Today's Naas winner was sold as a foal at Goffs by Joey Lyons' Summerhill Stables for €38,000 to the Boland family's Piercetown Stables, acting with Shane Lyons on behalf of Sean Jones.

Nunthorpe plan

Winning trainer Ger Lyons also confirmed that stable star Lady Iman remains on course for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York later this month. The two-year-old filly provided the O’Callaghan family with another memorable moment in a dream summer at Goodwood last week when winning the Molecomb Stakes.

“It was great to see her win again and we’re living the dream and we’ll see where she takes us,” said Roger O’Callaghan, son of Tony and Anne O’Callaghan.

“She’s been awesome since we couldn’t sell her. Before Christmas she was showing plenty and looked a bit different. She’s always shown loads and her temperament is second to none. She is why Starman looks to be a good stallion, as she has got his speed and his temperament.

“We’re all enjoying it and hopefully we’re not finished yet.”

With a ticket to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint ready to be cashed in later in the year courtesy of her Molecomb triumph, the chance to become the first two-year-old Nunthorpe winner since Kingsgate Native in 2007 is getting connections thinking after she was made the general 4/1 favourite for a daring raid on the Knavesmire’s sprint feature.

“Personally I would like to go for the Nunthorpe,” continued O’Callaghan.

“Dad and myself own the filly together and dad might prefer the filly to stick to her own age group, but if she’s fit and well, I would like to take on the elders, you have to live the dream and live for the moment.

“We’ll worry about it when the time comes, there’s a few weeks yet and we would have to write a bit of a cheque (to supplement), so we’ll see.

“The trainer is very keen on the Breeders’ Cup and Goodwood was a ‘win and you’re in’. We’ll take it one day at a time, but I would like to go to York next.”