Exogenesis faces tough challenge from Ballydoyle duo

Ger Lyons acknowledges the tough Ballydoyle challenge facing his smart juvenile Exogenesis in today’s Korean Racing Authority Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown.

Green on his early-season debut at the Dublin course, Lyons’ Dark Angel gelding reappeared to land a maiden at Fairyhouse in June before returning to Leopardstown earlier this month to claim a conditions event.

However, Exogenesis must take on two useful Aidan O'Brien runners led by Sir John Hawkins, who was third at Royal Ascot and not beaten far when fourth in the July Stakes.

Chance
Michael Hussey is given a big chance on stablemate Expedition, winner of his only start at Limerick in May.

“It’s a huge step up in class from a winners’ race to a Group Three, especially as we are bypassing Listed level, but he’s a course-and-distance winner and he’s a nice horse,” said Lyons.

“Whether he’s up to this remains to be seen as it all depends on what Ballydoyle throw at you.

“Aidan’s horses improve hugely from one race to the next and he sets the standard. I’ve been second to him before, I’ll be second to him again, and there’s no disgrace in that.”

Jim Bolger, whose nine previous winners of the event include Teofilo and New Approach, saddles Home School, who was fifth in last weekend's Anglesey Stakes.

Class
O'Brien appears to hold the key to the other Group Three, the Jockey Club Of Turkey Meld Stakes, with Mars taking a considerable drop down in class.

The three-year-old has finished third in the St James’s Palace Stakes and fourth in the Coral-Eclipse and will tackle six runners including Dermot Weld’s consistent mare Along Came Casey and Scintillula, who was a very respectable fourth in the Irish Oaks just a few days ago.