Lyons and Keane combine to land the big one at Navan

Once again Trim jockey Colin Keane and Kiltale trainer Ger Lyons combined to great effect as they landed the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes at Navan on Saturday.

Gavin Cromwell was also amongst the winners at the Proudstown track when he saddled Isaiah to victory under Gary Carroll in the Troytown Bar Handicap.

Cairde Go Deo win was landed in clearcut fashion but the 1m5f Listed race was marred by a fatal injury to odds-on favourite Arbutus.

The Ger Lyons-trained winner was prominent throughout and took control from three furlongs out at which point the 4/6 favourite was pulled up quickly with a serious leg injury and was later put down by the vet.

Colin Keane’s mount was soon six lengths clear and galloped on strongly from over a furlong out to beat Hotter Than Hades by eight.

Willesee kept on one paced a further three lengths adrift with Shark Bay disappointing in fourth.

"She's all about the trip and loves the ground. We were going to wait for the Munster Oaks (in Cork) but we took a view at the start of the week that this might cut up, and it did, and we were afraid of our lives," said trainer Ger Lyons.

"We would never be afraid of Aidan (O'Brien), but you'd be afraid of him the way his horses are running at the moment. I don't like seeing that (Arbutus injured).

"We watched the Lingfield Trials last weekend and part of me thought did I leave one behind me but I'd rather do it in Navan and take it from there.

"A mile and a half and good ground at the minute would be the Munster Oaks. Time will tell whether she is worth stepping up into the big game.

"These type of horses show me nothing at home. We've always seen her as a nice two-year-old last year.

"Even So was a quality, quality filly. When we won the Oaks, we were running for pieces. Trip horses don't show me much at home, I have to see it out here. It will be another step forward in the Munster Oaks and then we'll see.

"She's very straightforward and a gorgeous looking filly, a typical Camelot. A good temperament and Even So had a great temperament. I've had a few Camelots that don't have a good temperament but she does.

"She's a Group 3 horse, what she is after that, time will tell. Those Group 2s and Group 1s are hens' teeth but we are on the right track," concluded Lyons.

ISAIAH

Isaiah made a winning start to life with Gavin Cromwell and brought up plenty of bets in the process.

He ran in the mile and five handicap for horses rated 47-65 and made good progress in the final three furlongs.

He was produced to lead inside the final furlong and readily scooted clear to score by four and three quarter lengths.

The winner returned at 17/2 having been available at 40/1 in the morning and 12/1 in the first show. Mythical Times took second at 16/1 from Lariat (15/2) and Fattan (12/1).

"I don't think Gavin (Cromwell) has him that long. What he was doing at home he was doing fairly well. We didn't know what he would do on the track so it is nice to see him show what he does at home. Hopefully there is more to come," said jockey Gary Carroll.

"He handled it (ground) very well and he goes well on the deep sand at home, so he will handle cut as well. "He's a nice horse and hopefully he can win again."

This was Isaiah's first win on his 11th start.