DOUBLES were the order of the day with Colin Keane and Chris Hayes both partnering two winners and Joseph O’Brien also recording a brace of victories on this eight-race card.

Chris Hayes partnered his first winner for Joseph O’Brien as Sweet Illusions (17/2), fourth in a barrier trail back in July, scored on her debut under rules when just getting the better of Heather by a neck in the DundalkStadium.com Fillies Maiden.

“She absolutely floated on that surface. She’s a big frame of a filly and Joseph said she had improved from her barrier trial, so I was fairly confident she would run a nice race,” said Hayes of the Brosnan Racing-owned juvenile.

“That’s my first winner from a handful of rides for Joseph. He gets me to ride work the odd time and I was placed in the Goffs Million for him.”

Screaming success

Hayes completed his double on The Real Screamer in division two of the Happy Christmas From All At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Trained by Paul Flynn for Nathan Matthews, the Awtaad gelding was well supported when opening his account last month and was backed as if defeat was out of the question here, from 9/4 in the morning, and going off the 4/9 favourite. He led from well over a furlong out and kept on strongly to beat Gallo Dell Cielo by three lengths.

“He might not come back here as he is just a bit immature. I’d love to give him a break, but it is up to the owner really. I think a break will mature his mind,” said Flynn before adding: “I don’t think he will have any problem with the turf. I think he was just immature last year.”

Division one of the extended one-mile, two-furlong event went to Belles Feuilles in the colours of Gavin Cromwell Racing Limited and having her first run for the Danestown trainer. The 7/1 chance needed a strong drive from Gary Carroll to just hold off Limestone Red by a short-head.

“Her work at home went exactly to how she ran there, travelled strongly and keeps going well. She handled the surface well and is genuine,” said Carroll, who was hit with a four-day whip ban while Ronan Whelan also picked up a two-day ban for his use of the whip on the runner-up.

THE John Oxley-owned Spycraft completed the O’Brien double when landing odds of 10/11 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. The Siyouni colt, who cost 310,000 guineas as a yearling, got the better of a final furlong battle with fellow newcomer Nepal to score by half a length.

“He did everything right in the race, to be honest. I had cover, a nice position and travelled around sweet,” said winning rider Declan McDonogh.

“The penny didn’t really drop with him until I got stuck into him half a furlong from the finish and then he won snug at the line. I’d say there is bags of improvement in him.”

Storming home

Colin Keane was seen to good effect when initiating his double aboard Chicago Storm in the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Claiming Race.

The 11/1 shot just proved the stronger close home to beat Rhythm And Tyne by a head with Autocrat three lengths back in third.

“He has always worked well but is just a little bit unreliable. You wouldn’t set your clock to him!” said Chris Timmons, who trains the gelding for Tony Carey. “He’s a good dual-purpose type and he could even jump a fence.” There was no claim for the winner while the second and third both remain with current connections following friendly claims.

THE champion jockey Colin Keane doubled up when making all on Brigadier Kakuru in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Nursery Handicap. Trained by Danny Murphy for James Morgan, the easy-to-back 9/4 favourite kept on well to beat Movin And Groovin by a comfortable length and a half.

“He was keen early and even Colin said you could bring that fella back to five if you want. We’ll find another one for him in January, he seems to like it here,” said Murphy.

Favourite backers got off to a good start with Mint Man in the opening Dundalk Stadium Gift Vouchers Online Maiden, where the 8/11 shot was prominent throughout and finished strongly under Ronan Whelan to beat Crystal Luna by a length.

“It was a nice opportunity for him. We thought he’d have won a maiden a long time ago as he had some very notable runs,” said Pat Murphy who trains the gelding for the Real Horse Degen Club.”

Nicola Burns continued a good run at this venue when successful in the Book Online At DundalkStadium.com Handicap aboard the Tom McGuinness-trained Hastily (7/1), who led over a furlong out and kept on well to beat Harry The Rogue by half a length.

Nathan Crosse picked up a three-day whip ban on the runner-up.