GER LYONS is to saddle his first ever Royal Ascot runner next week as he sends over his unbeaten juvenile City Of Tribes. The Meath-based handler recorded one of the biggest wins of his 12-year training career when An Tadh landed the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown on Wednesday. Now, he's eyeing the Norfolk or Windsor Castle Stakes.
Lyons said: 'At this stage we are leaning towards the Norfolk, which is a Group 2 and will be a big jump up for him, but we will discuss it with Johnny Murtagh first.'
Owned by Shane Connolly and Glenview House Stud, City Of Tribes cost connections 110,000gns at the Doncaster Breeze-Up Sale in April.
He looked a two-year-old of potential when winning a good maiden at Tipperary last week. The form of that race was given a boost when the third-placed Miss Beatrix scored in good style earlier this week. Lyons said: 'When we bought him I said we'd go to Tipperary first as it is the best five furlong track in the country. 'I was prepared to finish second as the work we did since we got him was on getting him to relax. But he couldn't have been any more professional and he showed he has lots of natural speed.
'It could take a very smart one to beat him at Ascot.'
