CHAMPION jockey Colin Keane rode a treble at Leopardstown on Thursday evening, including wins in both Group races on the card.

Mutasarref initiated the three-timer when landing the Group 3 Bahrain Turf Club Diamond Stakes.

Owned by Eleanora Kennedy, the 12/1 chance led narrowly over a furlong out, keeping on strongly to win by half-a-length from Mountain Bear.

Winning trainer Ger Lyons said: “He’s some horse and you don’t expect him to be winning with the penalties. He’s a nice horse around a bend. We were a bit disappointed with him at the Curragh but I don’t think he’s ever ran his best at the Curragh in a straight.

“Eleanora is having some summer, it’s just fantastic. Horses like that make you enjoy it. His plan is to come back here for the Group 2 on Champions Weekend which is beyond him as we know but it’s another day out.”

Crystal clear

Just over half-an-hour later, Keane teamed up with his father Gerard, to win the Group 3 Xin Gin Ballyroan Stakes with Crystal Black. Always travelling strongly, the 11/10 favourite led over a furlong out, before quickening right away to win by five lengths.

Gerard Keane said of the Wear A Pink Ribbon Syndicate-owned gelding: “There is a bit of interest from Australia in him and there are negotiations going on that he might go for the Melbourne Cup.

“The lads want to hold onto half of him but we’ll know more in the next few days. If he was in the first three today that deal was on the table. It’s a kind of a fairytale really. He just keeps improving and improving. He had issues when we got him first with allergies and this year has just been amazing.”

Three-timer

Mooretown Lad completed the Colin Keane three-timer when staying on best close home to win division two of the BoyleSports Lengthen The Odds Handicap.

The Michael Smith-owned 11/2 chance was held up in rear before coming with a strong inside the final furlong to win by a length.

Winning trainer Michael O’Callaghan said: “He’s been a work in progress all along. He’s a full-brother to I Am Superman but takes more after his half-brother Fastnet Crown – a slow learner, immature physically and just takes time and more time. Whatever he does this year he should be better next year.

“Michael Smith bred him and bred all the family. It means a lot to him, and I’m delighted for him. We might put him away until next year.”

ANDREW Slattery sent out Killeaney Bear to win the opening division of that BoyleSports Lengthen The Odds Handicap.

Ridden by his son Andrew, the Charles Kerwin-owned 7/2 chance stayed on strongly to win by a neck from favourite Rotolo.

Andy Slattery senior said: “I don’t think he handled the ground or the track in Galway last Friday. He’s a big shell of a horse and I think he should improve and be better at four.

“He had a hard race in Galway but bounced out of it. Monday morning he was cantering and I thought he seemed fierce well so I said I’d chance declaring him. He’s a big, raw horse and I think there is more to come.”

From the front

Scarlet Dancer made most under Siobhan Rutledge to win the Unio Financial Services Handicap.

Owned and trained by John McConnell, the 12/1 chance kicked clear entering the straight for a comfortable two-and-a-quarter-length success.

McConnell said: “Mr Handicapper might have a say again now. He’s actually in a claimer next week and we might go there. He doesn’t owe me anything. He came with a bit of a health warning but in fairness Dylan Kidd has done a great job with him at home and he’s manageable now. I wish I had 25 more of him, he’s tough and genuine. Siobhan did a good job as she had to rev him to get across but she did slow it down mid-race and that helped him to last out. He’s as tough as nails and is in a happy place at the moment.”

ADRIAN Murray introduced a smart newcomer in the shape of Hill Road who readily make a winning debut in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden. Carrying the colours of AMO Racing Limited & Giselle De Aguiar, the David Egan-partnered 11/2 chance led over a furlong out, going clear for an impressive five length win.

Murray reported: “We’ve always held this lad in good regard. We had him ready early in the year and he won a barrier trial in Naas. We backed off him as we wanted to give him time to strengthen up.

“We’ll probably come back here for the Group 2 over a mile on Champions Weekend. He’s a very laid-back horse and takes a bit of revving up.”

Dylan Browne McMonagle and Joseph O’Brien teamed up to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden with 10/3 chance Leaders Listen.

The E S Racing-owned gelding got up in the dying strikes to beat favourite Raydamann by half-a-length. O’Brien said: “They are two nice maidens that pulled away. He’s a nice progressive horse.

“He’ll probably go for a winners’ race of some sort and I thought for a Camelot at that trip there should be more to come when he goes 10 or 12. He has the makings of a nice horse.”

Halford in charge

Josh Halford partnered 7/2 chance Elzaamsan to win the concluding Fegentri World Championship (Q.R.) Handicap for his father Michael (Halford) and Tracey Collins. Making virtually all, the Paul Rooney-owned gelding found extra close home to stretch clear for a four-and-three-quarter length win.

Michael Halford said: “He’s a horse that was always going to have his day but has been a bit frustrating. He’s after getting a bit stronger and he got to a rating that he could win off. The trip brought out the best of him and the good ground. I thought it looked a good race and with Josh’s 7lb off him. Delighted for Paul Rooney who has been very patient and is a wonderful man to give young people opportunities. This fella jumps a hurdle well so he might go that way.”