GER Lyons and Colin Keane teamed up to land the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cooley Fillies Stakes for the third successive year, as Sakti made all. She was part of a treble for Lyons and a four-timer on the card for Keane.
Keane got the 11/4 favourite away swiftly from her outside draw and soon had her over to the inside rail to dictate the mile event.
She found plenty when asked for her effort in the straight and kept on well inside the final furlong to score by a length from Vivienda, who made it a one-two for Glenburnie Stables.
Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “If he (Keane) was going hard in front, he’s (on) the highest-rated horse in the race and they were going to feel it in the last half a furlong. There was no point setting it up for them.
“Up until tonight, we were going to keep her in training, because she is a big mare. It is a good problem to have. She has it in the bag now, so there is absolutely no pressure. Delighted for Sean (Jones), Dave (Spratt), Ger and Lynne (Lyons).”
Third time lucky
Misappropriation opened her account at the third time of asking, when making most in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
Keane soon got her to the front from a wide draw and proceeded to dictate matters from there.
The 7/4 joint favourite faced a number of challengers, but kept on well to hold off the fast-finishing newcomer Dancing Teapot by a head.
Shane Lyons said: “It is box ticked, got her maiden out of the way. We will get her home now and give her a holiday and see what the owners (Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd) want to do.”
Keane partnered Fivefortwo to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden for the JNL Partnership.
The easy-to-back 15/8 favourite, trained in partnership by Mick Halford and Tracey Collins, was never too far from the pace and got on top inside the final 150 yards. The son of Time Test had three-quarters of a length to spare over Plunder, who outran odds of 100/1.
Halford said: “He’s a work in progress, a real laid-back horse having a good blow there again. He loves fast ground and is going to get further. He’s got a wonderful mind. We’ll put him away now.”
COLIN Keane completed his four-timer, that paid almost 192/1, with Tribal Moon in division two of the William Hill Proper Betting Handicap.
The Danny Murphy-trained gelding went off an 11/2 chance and made headway up the centre of the track to lead just inside the final furlong.
The son of Teofilo kept on strongly in the closing stages to beat the front-running Manhattan Dandy by half a length for owner Mrs John Murphy.
Murphy said: “We brought him here last week and he went well. He was trained in Dubai last year, but they ran out of racing, because it ended on March 26th. They sent him over to me summer time. It has worked out and I’d say he will win again.”
Successful Soul
Blue Soul sealed Lyons’ treble when taking the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap at the rewarding odds of 25/1.
Plenty of the runners were still in contention, spread right across the track a furlong out and Nathan Crosse’s mount dug deep at the business end to beat Hightimeyouwon by half a length.
Shane Lyons said: “Most importantly, we are delighted for Declan Landy (owner). He’s enthusiastic, he’s a stalwart of the yard and he has had all the faith in this filly.
“Declan is down in Cashel Palace (Hotel) getting an award for Captain Guinness (Queen Mother Champion Chase winner) and a nice surprise for that to come in for him. It will make his night.”
COURT Phoenix upset the odds in the William Hill Committed To Top Prices Maiden, when just getting the better of hot favourite Beatrix Power.
The Jimmy Coogan-trained gelding, who went close on both previous starts this year including when third at the Curragh, again showed good pace throughout in this five-furlong event. Leigh Roche’s mount kept on gamely to just hold on by a nose at odds of 11/1 for owner Emmanuel Hughes.
Coogan said: “I thought around here on the ground, and an easier five (furlongs), he might get the money. He stuck at it and knuckled down well. We’ll keep him at it up here.”
Come On The Lads recorded a third win this year for three different yards, when powering home over a mile four furlongs in the William Hill More Top Prices Apprentice Handicap.
The Lads
The 9/2 shot, who joined Gavin Cromwell after scoring in a claimer at Roscommon in August, made headway up the centre of the track to lead a furlong out and kept on well under Robert Whearty to beat Glyde Ranger by a length and three-quarters for The Lads Partnership.
Whearty said: “I had nothing really to aim at and was there too soon. He was waiting a small bit when he got there, but galloped away, got the trip fine and handled the surface.”
Higher Kingdom rewarded strong support to record a sixth career win in division one of the William Hill Proper Betting Handicap.
Backed into 7/4 favourite, the seven-year-old headed the front-running He Is King just over a furlong out. Gary Carroll needed to keep the market leader up to his work, as He Is King rallied again in the closing stages, with half a length separating the pair at the line.
John McConnell said: “Gary’s a good judge of pace and the horse has obviously come down a lot in the handicap. Delighted for Seamus (Devlin, owner), big supporter of the yard and he has been very patient with him.”