Trainer Ger Lyons is bullish ahead of Saturday's card at Newmarket with two runners ready for war.

The Irish handler is hoping he will be celebrating as he prepares to send Sacred Bridge and Dr Zempf to HQ.

Both two-year-olds will lead a rare British expedition for Lyons but he insists his team are not travelling to make up the numbers.

He said: "I've got a good record in Britain. I like to be competitive and only run what we think will win.

"It's an expensive game, so if I go over there, I want to be involved. We're not afraid of losing but the two horses I'm sending on Saturday are in the right races. 

"I know they're going to be competitive and they're two nice horses to go to war with." 

Dr Zempf is one of the leading contenders for the Middle Park Stakes, a race Lyons has never won before. He last tried to triumph in the race in 2019, only for stable star Siskin to be withdrawn before the start. 

Having only ever raced at the Curragh in the past, Dr Zempf lacks experience but connections are confident he can handle the trip after failing to finish outside the top four during his three career starts.

Sacred Bridge will run in the Cheveley Park Stakes on the same day and the two-year-old is the 7/4 ante-post favourite to win the race.

Lyons won the race back in 2011 with Lightening Pearl and he has every chance of adding to his tally with the Juddmonte-owned charge.

Sacred Bridge has won all four of her outings so far but unlike Dr Zempf, she has raced at Naas, the Curragh and Tipperary.

Lyons believes she can go all the way on Saturday in what would be a momentous day for him and his team.

He told reporters: "Every time I went racing, I kept expecting something to beat her, but the way she did it in the Round Tower was visually spectacular. It had the wow factor and she deserves her place at the top table.

"I wouldn't change her for anything in the race. My job is to get this filly there on Saturday in good health. If she rocks up and does what she's been doing all summer, then happy days, but this is a stern test.

"In my head, I was going to be training Group, 1 winners, from the start and just couldn't understand why it was taking me so long. 

"This is why we do it. The Cheveley Park has been good to me, and I'd like to win it again. 

"Group 1 horses are few and far between, so when you get them, you cherish them."