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Colin Keane extends Flat Jocke...

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Colin Keane extends Flat Jockeys' Championship lead with Naas double


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Colin Keane rode a double at Naas on Sunday to extend his lead at the top of the Flat Jockeys' Championship to five.

Keane was on the scoreboard early when Power Under Me scored in the opening maiden by a comfortable two and a quarter lengths for Trainer Ger Lyons.

The 2017 champion jockey brought up his brace in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Race Final with Ecliptical.

The son of Elzaam made a sweeping move from last to first to delight connections.

“When he won in Bellewstown the plan was to go for this race," said Shane Lyons, assistant to winning trainer, Ger Lyons.

"He wants a mile but we thought with the bit of cut in the ground this would suit. He’ll be a lovely horse next year, is all heart, and showed there that he has a touch of class as well."

Colin Keane title lead

That winner extended Colin Keane's lead at the top of the Flat Jockeys' Championship to six but Shane Foley struck back with a listed win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes on board Barrington Court.

Conditions suited the mare who is a listed bumper winner but has been disappointing over hurdles on occasion.

Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said: “Soft ground doesn’t seem to worry her whether she goes two miles or a mile and a half. She would probably have enough speed for a mile and a quarter.

“She may come back here for the Finale Stakes (November 7).

“I don’t think she will go back over hurdles as every time she runs she hurts herself.”

The jockeys' title race has flipped in the last fortnight with Keane passing out Foley. Today's double brings to 20 the winners' total for Keane in the last three weeks compared to just 12 for Shane Foley.

The season finishes on November 7th at Naas. Colin Keane will be hoping to repeat his feat at the venue when he lifted the title in 2017.


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Colin Keane Jessica Harrington Jockeys Championship Naas Racecourse Shane Foley

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