York Racecourse

Sweet Lilly in EBF Lyric Stakes return at York

Sweet Lilly will this Friday bid to land the Listed European Breeders Fund Lyric Stakes at York for the second season in a row as she makes her comeback after 280 days off the track.

The daughter of Tobougg was impressive in the last of her six victories, three at Listed level, when scoring by a length and a quarter in the £40,000 fillies’ race 12 months ago at York. She had a further five outings before being retired to the paddocks at the end of last season.

Unfortunately, she lost her first foal and a subsequent decision was taken in the spring for her to return to trainer Mick Channon. Following some encouraging homework, the five-year-old is now ready for action again and is due to face seven rivals in the 1m 2f Listed contest on the Knavesmire where she also finished second in the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes in 2007.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Jaber Abdullah, said: “Sweet Lilly has been back with Mick since the end of May and has done exceptionally well.

“I saw her work the other day and she went with plenty of enthusiasm. The tail still swished round a little but that’s her!

“She is quite capable of a bold show in Friday’s race even though she has been off the track a long time. She could have a good chance. She goes on any ground but probably prefers it on the soft side. “

Raymond also acts as racing manager for Abdullah Saeed Belhab, who has Moon Sister declared for the race. The Cadeaux Genereux filly endured a less than straightforward passage in a similar race at Newcastle on her previous outing in June.

Raymond added: “She never got a run at all last time and was hard on the bridle throughout the race. We are hoping things go better for her at York. We are happy with her and she is suited by the ground being on the soft side.”

Investec Oaks third High Heeled, the highest-rated horse in the field at 114, has also been declared, while another intriguing runner is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained improver Ave, who bolted up by four lengths in a Salisbury handicap earlier this month. The powerful Newmarket yard of Luca Cumani is represented by a further likely contender, Short Affair, winner of a Doncaster handicap in June.  Friday’s six-race card commences at 6pm.

 

 

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