MY Mate Alfie has proved a great servant to connections and brought his career tally to five wins and over €400,000 in prize money, when taking the six-furlong RFL Steel Stakes to provide champion jockey Colin Keane with his 100th winner of the season.

The easy-to-back 5/2 favourite was never too far from the pace in this listed race and showed a really good attitude to get on top in the closing stages for a three-quarters of a length verdict over Thunderbear with Big Gossey just a neck away in third.

“He keeps making us look good! This was an afterthought, and I’ve just let him freshen up since the Curragh,” said winning trainer Ger Lyons, before adding: “I said to Austin (Whelan, owner) to let me teach him how to sprint.

“I’m always moaning that Irish sprinters need practice, where the English get them every week, so if I didn’t run him then I’m not living up to what I’m asking for.

“He’s improved from run to run and we should have huge fun with him next year. Take the blinkers off him and he just goes to sleep. He’s a different horse with headgear.

“Six (furlongs) is grand, but he does get further, and he can travel next year when the conditions suit.”

Birdcatcher

Last Encore justified good support (4/1-11/4 favourite) when landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery for owner/breeder Max Morris.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained colt struck the front over a furlong out and kept on well under Dylan Browne McMonagle to beat Smoke Them Out by half a length.

“He’s a tough little fella, who jumps good and travels well,” said the winning rider. “I was a little bit worried that we might be drawn on the wrong side, so I had to go a bit early, but in fairness he picked up good and was tough the last furlong.

“He has sharpened up with racing and I think he’ll be more effective on good ground, as he has a real low action.”

GAVIN Ryan enjoyed a tremendous afternoon with an 81/1 treble, as all three of his rides were successful.

Galveston, a 2,000,000 gns purchase by the Coolmore partners at the Book 1 Sale in Tattersalls last October, set the ball rolling when putting a disappointing effort on debut here last month behind him by making all in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

The Frankel colt had some good fortune on his side, as Local Lad was caught in a pocket about a furlong out before finishing strongly to get within half-a-length of the Aidan O’Brien-trained 100/30 winner.

“He’s a big, strong colt and was very good from the gates today to put himself into a good position from the get-go,” said Ryan.

“He was green and raw in front, so he’ll come on again from it. It’s a long way up the straight here and its proper yielding ground, which is a bit testing for two-year-olds.”

Aidan’s son Donnacha supplied Ryan with his other two winners on the card, including Uncanny in the Punctual Print Maiden.

Took command

The Churchill filly, owned in partnership by Sue Magnier and Annemarie O’Brien, took command inside the final furlong, staying on strongly to beat Lady Pagasa by five and a half lengths.

“She’s a filly that we’ve always liked a lot. She does like an ease in the ground, so today has worked out lovely. It probably wasn’t an overly strong maiden, but she’s quickened up and put it to bed very easily,” said Ryan of the 11/8 favourite, who filled the runner-up spot on her previous two outings.

The former champion apprentice rounded off his treble aboard Whispersinthewind, owned by the trainer’s mother Annemarie O’Brien, in the Rent-A-Tent Marquee Fillies Maiden.

The 7/1 shot got the better of Finsceal Luas inside the final furlong to beat that rival by half a length and Ryan commented: “She’s a filly that has been a little bit tricky, but she’s always running consistent without getting the rub of the green.

“The race worked out perfect today. She was very good from the gates, we got a good lead through and we always thought she was well capable of winning her maiden, so it’s good to get it done. Ground wise she is very versatile.”

Power finds the Heavenly hour

HEAVENLY Power was well-supported throughout the day (6/1 into 11/4 favourite) to record a fifth career victory in the Tote.ie Handicap.

Billy Lee’s mount kept on strongly on the stands’ side inside the final furlong to beat Moltophino by a length and three-quarters and owner/breeder Sabina Power was accompanied by many of her extended family to greet the Dark Angel gelding in the winner’s enclosure.

“The way the programme is after the Bold Lad, this was the only race left for him and we ran for nine and a half grand. I’d always hoped he’d win a big one, but he comes up short in them. He’s good in this grade,” said trainer Eddie Lynam.

“It’s nice to get the result today, with all the Power family here. He’ll go out in the paddock now and come back next year. The ease in the ground is a help to him.”

Danny Power mistook the winning post and picked up a seven-day ban for easing Stag Night, who finished a close up sixth, in the closing stages.

Patient ride

Rahmi (11/1-15/2) benefitted from a patient ride by Danny Sheehy in the Oktoberfest Weekend Handicap, quickening up smartly from off the pace on the far side to beat Orandi by two and a half lengths.

“He’s a horse that always shows plenty at home and is competitive in those big handicaps, but is getting put up that couple of pounds all the time,” said Johnny Murtagh, who trains the Pivotal gelding for Richard McNally.

“He has that ability when things fall right and goes very well for Danny, who timed it nicely today. I think that will probably be it for the year.”