Meade ready to roll on the Flat when racing resumes and Layfayette could star

Younger readers might not believe it but there was a time when Noel Meade was associated with success on the Flat rather than over jumps – and the trainer is planning to go back to basics this summer.

Meade, who recorded Royal Ascot success in the early stages of his career when Sweet Mint won the 1978 Cork & Orrery Stakes, reinvested in the Flat last season when purchasing a string of two-year-olds.

The shift in focus paid off handsomely with Meade ending the Flat turf season in Ireland with 18 winners – four of whom were juveniles.

There is no set date for racing to return in Ireland, but when it does Flat racing will be given priority for the first month, as was set out in HRI’s Covid-19 contingency plan.

With that in mind, Meade will be hoping to build on last season’s successes with his Flat squad, and he identified Layfayette as the one he is looking forward to most.

Jerandme: will be aimed at staying Flat handicapsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He said: “Our best three-year-old, without any shadow of a doubt, is Layfayette. We really like him. He wants fast ground and it was just a bit slow for him last year. He was only just touched off in the big sales race at the end of last year so he's one we're looking forward to. He might just improve a bit this season.”

Meade added: “We have about 15 two-year-olds and the same amount of three-year-olds, so we've been kept ticking over with them.

“Last season was our first year when we went back into the Flat scene for a long time. We made a point of buying a few yearlings and it worked out well so we're hoping for the best again.”

With a string of juveniles to look forward to and some noteworthy dual-purpose campaigners, Meade is itching for racing to return.

He said: “Jerandme is going to be a horse who can run in all of those good staying handicaps on the Flat. He stays well.

“We have Dinard Rose, Harvest Bow and maybe even De Name Escapes Me – they are all horses you could think about running on the Flat this summer.”

Meade added: “Luke Short is another nice two-year-old from last year. We've a few nice three-year-olds without having any stars and there should be plenty to look forward to once we get back.

“Nobody knows where we're going at the minute but hopefully we can get back racing as soon as we can.”

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