CHAMPION jockey Colin Keane rode a double at Tipperary on Tuesday evening. The first leg came on the Jack Davison-trained Come On The Lads in the opening Tipperary Races Claiming Race. The 7/2 chance led early in the straight before going clear for a two-and-a-half-length win for owners Maker Of Kings Syndicate.

Winning trainer Davison said: “He has been disappointing since his first run so we dropped him into claiming company today and it all came good. These claimers are great for that reason and we’ve had our day now, albeit in moderate company. Somebody will now have fun with him going forward and I’d imagine he’ll jump a hurdle as well.” Ger O’Leary subsequently claimed Come On The Lads. 

Keane brought up his brace just over an hour later, riding newcomer Evening Saigon to victory in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Race. Trained by Michael O’Callaghan, the 2/1 joint-favourite kept on well inside the final furlong to win by one-and-a-half lengths.

A true professional

O’Callaghan said of the Evening Saigon Partnership-owned winner: “He is a lovely colt, we bought him from Tally-Ho (Stud) at the Craven Breeze-Up six weeks ago and has been very professional since he came home. He has had a couple of days away, he works with Red Evolution which finished third at the Curragh on Saturday and that told us that we hadn’t a bad bunch.

“He is entered in the Railway (Stakes) and it is possible he could go to Ascot. Colin said he handled that ground, but worked at Naas one morning on fast ground so he seems versatile. He is just a nice horse, would go six furlongs as well and is uncomplicated. He could be for sale so all options are open.”

Enchanting victory for O’Brien

TRULY Enchanting was another juvenile to make a taking introduction when staying on late to win the Visit Tipperary Fillies Maiden. Bred to want further, the Aidan O’Brien-trained 10/3 chance led over a furlong out, keeping on nicely under Ryan Moore. Owned by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, the filly had three and three-quarter lengths in hand at the finish.

O’Brien commented: “Ryan was delighted with her. He said that she’d have no problem getting six and might even get seven and said she handled the ground well. She was green early but Ryan said they didn’t go mad early, so it gave her a chance to get it together first time. He was very happy with her, so that’s great. We’ll see how much she comes on. She was away before she came, but she’s a little bit laidback at home so she could come on plenty, so I’d say the Albany is a possibility.”

Dreamers filly prevails

Staysound Susie made her experience count when landing the @tipperaryraces Maiden for Ben Coen and Andrew Slattery. Sent off 2/1, the Dreamers & Believers Syndicate-owned filly prevailed by one and a half lengths.

Andrew Slattery said: “She was unlucky not to have won the Birdcatcher, but I thought the trip might be short for her. She will stay seven (furlongs) but the soft ground helped bring in her stamina. We planned to hold her up but they didn’t go fast enough so with the fact she stays seven, Ben said he’d kick on and he was able to dictate. We might go for a better handicap somewhere along the line over six or seven furlongs.

He added: “The six lads are all from Fethard and they bred her. One is a bread man, another a retired superintendent, there’s a farrier from Coolmore and another’s father trained the winner of the Galway Hurdle; they’re delighted.”

KEVIN Coleman trained Akecheta to make a 40/1 winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden. Outpaced early on, the Shane Kelly-partnered four-year-old came through with a strong late run to win by half a length. The winning trainer said: “Paddy Twomey had her as a two-year-old and last year as well and he did all the work.

“I didn’t do much but Paddy has bigger fish to fry. She is a nice filly and is smart. She is very big although looking at the pedigree, it says ‘Sioux Nation’ but she is all Dalakhani (from the dam’s side).  Coming out of stall 16 we thought she had no chance and wanted to get her a good education but the family seem to run well first-time-out. Brian O’Connor pre-trained her, did a lot of work and we just fine-tuned her.”

Victorious Mulligan and Murtagh

Sevensees made most of the running under Rory Mulligan to win the TipperaryRacecourse.ie Handicap. Trained by Johnny Murtagh, the 8/1 chance stayed on strongly to win by three and three-quarter lengths for owners Any Excuse For A Holiday Syndicate.

Assistant Trainer Denis Linehan later said: “He is an improving horse and I think sprinting could just be the key to him - the more racing he did the faster he has become, as he got the hang of it. He won well and hopefully he can keep going. Rory is a good young lad, is improving quickly and hopefully he will go places.”

Worthwhile journey for McKenna

Joey Sheridan rode the Patrick McKenna-trained Cuban Grey to win the concluding Racing Again Tomorrow Handicap. The 9/2 joint-favourite, who carried the colours of the McKenna Partnership, stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to beat Improving by half a length. McKenna said: “He is coming to himself and we knew it was in him, as Joey (Sheridan) assured me.

“As the song goes, it’s a long way to Tipperary, especially from our house, but it was worth the three and a half hours trip. Joey didn’t want to push him early on and I thought he was in trouble but he said he picked up going to the line and that’s what you want. He is a lovely horse and we just buy low grade horses and try to improve them a bit. He has come to himself and hopefully can win another one. He wants those fast tracks as he has a bit of speed.