Joe Fanning booked for Nunthorpe favourite Lady Iman

Joe Fanning has been booked to ride Goodwood winner Lady Iman in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York later this month.

The two-year-old filly will have to be supplemented for the Group One sprint but after winning the Molecomb Stakes – Lady Iman’s fourth victory in five career starts – owners the O’Callaghan family indicated they would be keen to pitch their juvenile into the all-aged contest.

While trainer Ger Lyons admits he is not usually in favour of running two-year-olds against older horses, he feels Lady Iman has all the right qualities to take on the test, with the services of lightweight Fanning already secured for the Starman filly, who would carry just 8st 2lb on the Knavesmire.

Lyons said: “I’ve just booked Joe Fanning to ride her (in the Nunthorpe). Joe sat beside me in the weigh room.

“It’s what Roger (O’Callaghan) wants and if she goes and wins the Nunthorpe we’ll all be delighted.

“Personally, I don’t like seeing babies taking on older horses. If we ever have one to do it’s her as she has the temperament, but we have to get there yet.”

Lady Iman is the general 4-1 favourite for the five-furlong contest, with a supplementary entry costing £40,000.