COLIN Keane brought himself to the front of the flat jockeys’ championship when partnering a 7.63/1 double at Ballinrobe on Monday evening, highlighted by the victory of War Rooms (15/2–4/1) in the featured Tote-sponsored handicap over a mile and five furlongs.

Owned by the Wear A Pink Ribbon Syndicate, the Churchill gelding was bought by connections out of Owen Burrows’ yard for 155,000gns at the end of 2024. Gelded, he failed to win in 10 starts for trainer Gerry Keane last year but - now aged five - finally got off the mark this week off a mark of 83.

After War Rooms had held off the closing Truth Be Told (11/4) by a diminishing neck, Gerry Keane said: “He’s been overall disappointing, so I’m delighted to get his head in front. He had an inflated rating from coming third in the Dante. Today he probably parked a bit in front and was waiting for them to come at him. He minds himself a bit. We’ll look for flatter tracks like Killarney and Listowel. He’d probably stay two miles on the flat, and we’ll go back hurdling with him later in the year.”

Colin Keane completed his brace in the closing maiden, also over 13 furlongs on board Nuit (1/2– 8/11) who made short work of Pampar Lady (28/1) in the straight to score by eight lengths. Trained by Henry de Bromhead, the winner is a four-year-old Sea The Stars filly who was overdue this win following numerous placed efforts, including in listed company. “I had plenty of horse under me,” said Keane. “They’ve done a good job on the ground, it’s on the easy side of good, and she appreciated that. A mile and a half and up is a good trip for her. Hopefully she can pick up some more blacktype.”

She’s Ideal (15/2–13/2) comfortably gained her first success for the Tuesday Club Racing Syndicate in the opening claiming race over an extended nine furlongs. Always handy, Leigh Roche’s mount tracked the long-time leader into the straight, before quickening up to beat the 6/5 favourite Minaun View by three and a quarter lengths.

“Paul (Flynn, trainer) felt she was back in good form, and it was like a piece of work for her,” said Roche. “We went a good gallop early, steadied it up down the back and then got racing from three out. The one in front (Minaun View) saves a bit for herself, so I just wanted to pounce and get by her quick. She has a bit of speed, which is what you want at these kinds of tracks.”

The Belardo filly was subsequently claimed for €5,000 by Paul Hardiman and will join Ado McGuinness.

Reflectionist was a 50/1 winner of the apprentice handicap over 13 furlongs. Trained by Mark Fahey, the nine-year-old gelding - who started life with Godolphin - had previously won over hurdles but was winning his first flat race here off a mark of 49.

Ridden by Joseph Harnett, Reflectionist belied his huge odds by hitting the front a furlong from home and powering clear to win by an easy seven and a half lengths from Wingit.

“I ride him in all his work,” Harnett said. “The cheekpieces seemed to help. The plan was to be forward, but that didn’t happen and I’d to go to Plan B. I moved up handier on the outer three out and when I asked him two out, he put the race to bed and hit the line good and strong.”

TRAINED by Conor O’Dwyer, the Galway-bound Lady Arwen (10/1) struck for the second time this season in the Tote-sponsored handicap over an extended nine furlongs

Billy Lee brought the seven-year-old mare with her challenge from the rear in a long, swooping move around the outside to hit the front a furlong out. The Hugo and Anne Kane-owned mare kept on strongly in the closing stages to win by a length and a quarter from the 3/1 favourite Elusive Duke.

O’Dwyer praised both mare and rider: “She’s been a great mare and that’s five she’s won for us,” he said. “We wanted to be a bit closer, maybe halfway back, but she missed a beat at the start. That’s the thing with these top jockeys, though. They can go to Plan B or Plan C and still come out on top. I’m still not entirely sure what her best trip is! She’s so genuine. I’d love to have a few more like her. She hasn’t won at Galway but has run well there a few times and loves the hustle and bustle.”

Ken Condon supplied the first two home in the maiden run over the same trip, where Guinelot (9/2) managed to fend off stablemate Taj Crown (2/1) by a head, after a sustained duel from over a furlong out.

A €75,000 yearling filly by Camelot, the winner is owned - like Moss Tucker - by the Charlie Bit Me Syndicate.

Winning jockey Donagh O’Connor enthused: “It’s lovely ground. It’s always important to be handy around here, but there’s a tailwind in the straight, so it’s even more of an advantage this evening. She had a good look when she got to the front, and Billy’s filly (Taj Crown) was just helping me along in the straight.”

Prominent tactics also proved fruitful for Nephin Mountain who was to the fore throughout under Terry Casey in the three-year-old handicap over nine and a half furlongs.

The 11/2 shot hung left and was headed turning for home, but he rallied to lead again close home in gutsy fashion. Aquilla Star (12/1) was a neck behind, with favourite Connova (5/6) staying on late from a compromising position.

“He ran well at Leopardstown (in June), but I was disappointed with him the last day (at Down Royal on Friday)” conceded Co Meath trainer Mick Mulvany. “This looked a weak enough race. Somewhere like Sligo might suit. Terry is a good rider. He’s improving and he’s followed the same path as Wesley Joyce.”