COLIN Keane was in double-winning form on the Polytrack for trainers Chris Timmons and Denis Coakley last Friday.

Hurricane Helen is enjoying life with Timmons and made it two victories from three runs since switching to him when landing the McCandless Komatsu Handicap over a mile.

Keane held her up and made progress into the straight before she delivered her challenge at the furlong pole. She worked her way to the front in the final 150 yards and kept up the gallop to bring home the spoils by a length and a-half at 6/1 for owners Derek Dunne and Martin W Walsh.

Timmons said: “Colin was happy with her, he thought she travelled around well and picked up well. We’ve had a lot of luck with Colin.

“There’s not really a race for her on All-Weather Finals Day at Lingfield - there’s only a seven-furlong race she could run in there, and it might be a bit sharp for her, but we’ll sit down and give it some thought.”

Keane’s brace came up on Coakley’s Super Over in the Peter Fitzpatrick Leod Quarries Handicap.

Uneasy

The 2/1 favourite was uneasy in the market, but allayed any concerns when staying on to lead narrowly inside the final furlong. The six-year-old gelding had half a length in hand over front-running Brains at the winning post.

Keane, sporting the colours of Ciaran John Mooney, Mark McCloskey, Adam Mooney and Colm Holmes, said: “I said to Denis to maybe change around the headgear with him. He put the visor on him today and I’d say it brought out a little bit more improvement. A horse at his age and knowledge, he’s just getting a bit cute.”

REAL Appeal made a taking return to action for Shamrock Thoroughbreds, Dooley Thoroughbreds, J Fairhurst and J.P. Cleary in the KE Builders Race over the mile.

The 5/1 shot travelled nicely into contention for Ronan Whelan approaching the final furlong and came through to lead in the closing stages. He was three-quarters of a length too good for Freescape at the line.

Ado McGuinness said: “He chipped a bone in a knee earlier on in the year and we had to give him time off. Ger Kelly down in Fethard did a great job with him.”

Highland King (9/2) made the breakthrough under Keithen Kennedy in the extended mile and a-quarter CT1 Apprentice Handicap.

The five-year-old gelding was on the premises two furlongs out and grabbed the initiative inside the final furlong. He beat the 10/3 favourite Moondharrig by three-quarters of a length.

John McConnell said: “You are always worried when they are a maiden if they are going to do it, but he’s actually a very genuine horse.

“Johnny (O’Brien, owner) has been very patient with him as he is always is. He’s a big horse and probably just had a few growing issues.”

Wayne Hassett, on fourth-placed Anjah, was deemed to have ridden carelessly and, as it was his fifth offence, he was hit with a suspension of 20 race days.

Winemaker (7/1) shaded a battle with My Girl Sioux by a short-head in the PC Finance Handicap over five furlongs.

After Gavin Ryan steered owner/trainer Diego Dias’ horse home, he said: “He’s had plenty of racing and he has got his rub of the green a couple of times but, whatever has come into his head since he has got back onto the all-weather, he’s a different horse.

“It has really rejuvenated him. He is probably running in the form of his life.”

Winemaker scored over seven furlongs in Dundalk last month.

DANDY Lichious came home strongly to justify 13/8 favouritism in the Mourne Windows & Doors Claiming Race.

Paul Flynn’s charge picked up the lead inside the final furlong and was driven home by a length for owner Patrick N Hanlon.

Jockey Robert Whearty said: “Good run the last day, a good second. He did that well there today - I thought I had the run of the race and it was just a pity I got there a little too soon. Things just fell apart a small bit.”

The winner was claimed by Carlisle-based trainer Tristan Davidson while sixth-placed Dark Blue Diamond was claimed by John McConnell.

Land the odds

Al Mudhaffar stepped up on a promising debut second to readily land the odds in the Ross Clair Maiden over a mile.

Joseph O’Brien’s colt was always prominent and was sent on by Dylan Browne McMonagle over a quarter of a mile from home. The 1/3 favourite kept on well along the stands’ side rail to post a two-length success for Al Mamoura and Al Shaqab Racing.

“I think these Wootton Bassett’s only get better in time. The way he has got to the line, he should have no trouble going up in trip. He has got a good attitude. He’s a little bit lazy, so up in grade with more runners will definitely help,” the jockey said.

Jack Kearney on third-placed Hoover Dam was given a suspension of four race days for riding carelessly.

Winning ways

Richard O’Brien’s Satono Chevalier got back to winning ways for Frank J Lynch and Maria Lynch in The Unitek Handicap over a mile and a half.

The son of Invincible Spirit was produced with a well-timed finish by Shane Foley as the pair got up in the final 50 yards.

They obliged by half a length at 9/1 and Foley said: “Beforehand, going down, he was a lot more relaxed and chilled out. He really relaxed today. He said he had him back to as good as he was, he was right.”