Babouche could deliver something special for Lyons and Keane
By James Toney at Royal Ascot
Colin Keane's new status brings added pressure at Royal Ascot but winning a Group One for the trainer who has supported him for so long would be something extra special.
Keane has made a fine start to his status as Juddmonte's retained jockey, piloting the brilliant Field of Gold to victory in the St James's Palace Stakes, with three other places this week too.
Last year he delivered his Dad Gerry a first Royal Ascot winner and repaying trainer Ger Lyons's long-time support in the Commonwealth Cup would match that achievement.
It's eight years since Lyons only previous winner at the meeting and Babouche, racing in those famous pink and green silks, represents a gilt-edged chance of doubling that tally.
After Lyons and Keane combined to win at the Breeders' Cup last year, the Co. Meath trainer admitted he didn't have the ammunition to match the jockeys ambition.
"He's the most understated Champion Jockey in the world," he said. "I need the world to wake up to him."
Juddmonte were clearly listening, so there's extra significance for Keane in this ride for his mentor and old boss in their colours, choosing Babouche ahead of their other contender Jonquil.
She was a two-year-old Group One winner at the Curragh last year and impressed to win at Naas on her last outing, dispelling Lyons's early season anxiety about her form.
"We asked the questions in her last race and she answered them with bells on. She was back, it was the Babouche we all know and love," said Lyons.
"She's a Group One winner and we've always loved her and we've been working towards this for a while."
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Babouche got the better of Aidan O'Brien's Whistlejacket in the Lacken Stakes and he'll be looking for revenge as one of two Ballydoyle entries.
Also flying the flag for the Green Team is Joseph O'Brien with Lady With The Lamp, Adrian Murray's Arizona Blaze and Eddie and Patrick Harty's Carla Ridge, a 100-1 winner at Naas last year.
"We always thought this race would suit Whistlejacket," said O'Brien, narrowly leading British rivals John and Thady Gosden in the trainer standings after three of five days.
"The more competitive the race, the better I think he will be, a high tempo from the start would be absolutely ideal. I wouldn't discount Ides of March either, he will love this ground and seems in good form."
The absence of O'Brien's Lake Victoria from the Commonwealth Stakes made Friday's other Group One a little weaker, the Irish 1000 Guineas and Breeders' Cup heroine would have been a hot favourite after five unbeaten starts.
Ryan Moore has selected January ahead of other Ballydoyle entry Exactly, as he looks to finally crack that 150 Group One winning barrier in partnership with O'Brien.
"Ryan really likes her," added O'Brien. "The run in the Irish Guineas was with a view to this race and I was happy with Exactly's French Guineas run too, she just didn't quite get the luck she needed."
There have been seven Irish winners across the opening three days of the meeting, with Paddy Twomey and Henry de Bromhead joining O'Brien in the winners' enclosure.
Donnacha O'Brien has a chance of joining them with Albany Stakes hopeful Balantina, with Tom Marquand taking the ride.
O'Brien's super star filly Porta Fortuna won this race two years ago, Donnacha's first Royal Ascot success and followed up to win last year's Coronation Stakes too.
Balantina races in the same colours and an eye-catching win at the Curragh in May only enhances her credentials, despite the fact the market is fronted by his father's Frankel-colt Signora.
"She's been in great form since winning at the Curragh and I've no worries about the track and ground suiting her, it'll be competitive but she'll run well," said the two-time Royal Ascot winning trainer.
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