Lyons anticipating future big day with Red Letter

Ger Lyons is planning a step up in trip with Red Letter following her pleasing performance in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Frankel filly showed quality form as a two-year-old last season, with an impressive victory at the Curragh sandwiched by two fine efforts in defeat behind Lake Victoria.

She finished seventh on her reappearance in Sunday’s Rowley Mile Classic, a neck and one place behind her old rival, and Lyons feels there is plenty to look forward to.

“I was delighted. I said to Colin (Keane), ‘whatever you do, be positive’. He said there was no pace and I said ‘don’t be afraid to make it’,” said the County Meath handler.

“I love her, she was never a Guineas horse to me and never a firm ground horse to me, but there is one Classic. I said to Colin if she can’t handle that, she’s no right to talk about Ascot and places like that.

“You could argue she’s ran her race with Lake Victoria. We’ve ran against her twice and got beat twice and we finished beside her again. I know Lake Victoria will make dramatic improvement. Ours had a good, strong blow and will improve but we’ll lower our sights because we can.

“I still think there is a big day in this filly, maybe not at three. She’s still a work in progress and I’m very happy with her. I’ve come out of that place (Newmarket) on the ground in the past and I wasn’t on Sunday.”

Considering future plans, Lyons added: “She’ll go to Naas for the Blue Wind, at the minute, after the conversation we had. They (Juddmonte, owners) have the horse here for the Irish Guineas (Swelter), so they’re letting me do that, which will be brilliant. Then we can rebuild.

“I don’t think she’s the finished article yet. I started off with a lovely bunch of fillies and I’m not disappointed yet.”