CHAMPION jockey Colin Keane rode a double at Bellewstown on Wednesday afternoon. Gandolfo was first up, proving too strong for the opposition in the Seamus Murphy Memorial Optional Claiming Maiden.

Sent off 13/8 favourite, the Noel Meade-trained gelding stayed on well close home to win by one and a half lengths for owner Mrs Patricia Hunt.

Keane said: “He’s probably been a little bit disappointing to be honest. We thought he would have won his maiden, so the fact he had to do it in claiming company is a bit disappointing. I’d say he enjoyed being bottled up and hopefully he will get confidence from that.”

Signed, sealed, delivered

Keane brought up the double aboard the Eamon Delany-trained Escaping Thejungle in the Byrne Marquees Handicap. The 5/2 favourite made all to register a two-and-three-quarter length win for owner Alan Delany.

The latter said: “She came back from a little upset last year and we did pick this out, back a little while ago. She has been improving every time and coming down a bit in the weights. She’s a tough nut.

“She’s freewheeling there, she just pops out and away she goes. There’s no instructions. It is lovely to have Colin (Keane) ride a winner for us. They are the oldest active colours in the Turf Club.”

Pimstrel powers home

Pimstrel landed some tidy bets (8/1-4/1), when winning Division l of the BoyleSports Supporting Irish Racing Handicap. Owned and trained by George Kingston, the mare led early in the straight under Rory Mulligan, staying on well to win by one and three-quarter lengths.

Kingston said: “She was in season, that was my worry, but she was in good old form this morning. I was hopeful without being confident.

“She had the ability to do it - it is just once everything was right. She got a good ride and the 7lb claim, so we got the pot and we are delighted. She won’t go to the all-weather, she might go again at the weekend on soft ground.

“Laura Hourigan offered me this horse and she offered me her again, and she promised me she would definitely do me a turn, so I have to say I owe Laura a turn. She was dead on, she knows her job.”

JESSICA Maye lost her 10lb claim when partnering 17/2 chance Mogwli to win Division ll of the BoyleSports Supporting Irish Racing Handicap. Owned and trained by Willie McCreery, the gelding led inside the final furlong to score by half a length.

Maye later reported: “It feels great and I’m delighted. Everything worked out. He was in good form, he nearly ran away with me to the start. I just said I would jump and try to get a bit of cover, but he was basically running away with me the whole way.

“He’s a bit quirky and he loved coming up through the horses and when I saw the gap open, I knew he would go through it for me.

“I’d just like to thank Willie for giving me the opportunity to ride him again. I’ve had a few seconds on him, so great to get a win.”

Mile End won the Barney Curley Apprentice Series Final Apprentice Handicap under Darragh O’Sullivan. Trained by Ciaran Murphy, the Colm White-owned 18/1 outsider had three and three-quarter lengths in hand.

Darragh O’Sullivan said: “She handled it (ground) very well, she travelled great throughout. She picked up very, very easily, in fairness to her.

“She should now (improve), she has got her head in front and might keep going. I’m riding winners for all different trainers, so I’m delighted.”

Jack Cleary pipped Amy Jo Hayes (76-74) to win the Barney Curley D.A.F.A Apprentice Series Bursary programme after a runner-up berth on Copie Conforme in this final race of the series.

DYLAN Browne McMonagle and Joseph O’Brien won the Tankardstown House Maiden with 4/1 chance The Poacher Daly. Owned by David Cahill, the gelding kept on well in the straight to win by two and a half lengths.

Stable representative Sean Corby said: “He stuck at it well to the line today. He has just got so much pace and, if it was any way of a stiff track, he wasn’t really getting home. It is nice to get his head in front eventually.

“I’m not too sure what the lads will do but, I would imagine if it is going to be soft over the next few weeks, I don’t think he would want the ground too slow.”

From pillar to post

North Africa made all under Wayne Lordan to win the Bellewstown Inn Maiden. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the 4/1 chance stayed on well to prevail by two and three-quarter lengths for owners D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, Westerberg.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “In fairness to her, she has been running well in decent enough maidens. The winning of the race was a fantastic ride that Wayne gave her. He got the fractions spot on and, in fairness, he kept enough up his sleeve.

“She’s a consistent filly and, if she comes out of it well, we’ll maybe look at the Garnet Stakes in Naas, and see if we can get a bit of black type. Then that would be job done.”

Friends with Enemy

Sam Coen rode the second winner of his career aboard Arch Enemy in the concluding Johnny Kierans Memorial Handicap. Trained by Patrick Magee, the 7/1 chance kept on well to win by two and a half lengths in the colours of the Black Steel Square Syndicate.

Magee commented: “I’d say the race just panned out lovely, they went a good gallop. I was watching them going down the back and they were going 32/33 the whole way down the back, so I kind of knew they were going to come back.

“That’s what she loves. She takes a while to warm up, but she needs the pace to collapse in front of her. Over hurdles, I still think there is a good day in her. She’s a great old mare and if only I had a few more like her.”