Thunder Kiss enhances Grade One credentials in Cork

Thunder Kiss could step up to Group One company after registering a stylish victory on her seasonal bow in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Noblesse Stakes at Cork.

Trained by Ger Lyons and ridden by Colin Keane, Thunder Kiss was sent off the 2-1 favourite for the Listed heat after scoring at that level on her final outing of last year, with her campaign also encompassing a Group Three verdict in the Munster Oaks.

The five-year-old made short work of her 11 rivals in this 12-furlong contest, asserting her authority in the straight to cruise home by four and a half lengths and set up a potential crack at next month's Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

Shane Lyons, the trainer's brother and assistant, said: "She is a class filly, is a year older and has really matured. The boss has just told me we will aim her high, at Group Twos and Ones, and she has all the proper entries. She excels on a cut in the ground, albeit she has won at Dundalk.

"Colin was very happy with her, they didn't take her far enough in the race and she took it up two (furlongs) out, but she can look around. In a higher-class race, they'll go quicker and take her to the line.

"We are really going to have fun with her, we're not asking to win the big races but if she is placed in them, we'll take that now. She is in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and could go there next.

"She had been training really well and it was a good performance to give weight to everything."

Toy had her Classic odds clipped after she opened her account at the third time of asking in the opening Welcome To The Racing Home For Easter Festival Maiden.

The Galileo filly is a full sister to Group One winners Gleneagles, Marvellous and Happily, but she had to settle for minor honours in each