COLIN Keane bagged a double at Roscommon on Monday, but made little inroads on title leader Billy Lee, who was also on the scoresheet.
Keane struck at 16/1 in the first division of the seven-furlong handicap, when partnering Zarenakarena for Eddie and Patrick Harty.
The Ribchester filly led passing the furlong pole and stuck on well to record a length and a quarter success on her handicap debut.
Patrick Harty said: “I’m delighted for Eamon (Crawford). He’s been lucky with this family and she’s a half-sister to Areana.
“She came into training very late, she only came in this year as a four-year-old for the first time, so it’s all been a bit new for her.
“That’s the first time she’s been on soft ground and I think that was a big help. The penny is dropping.”
Best yet to come
Later, Keane donned the iconic Bolger colours when Teoest took the Boyle Maiden over 10 furlongs.
The 7/4 shot hit the lead over a furlong from home to beat Saliba by a comprehensive two and three-quarter lengths.
Ger Flynn, travelling head lad, said: “Colin came back in and said ‘he’s a beautiful horse, very straightforward and a gorgeous-moving horse’.
“He said when he steps back up to a mile and a half, and even going further, you’ll see the real deal.
“He relished the ground today and he said he’ll make a beautiful jumping horse. He’s in the October Horses-In-Training Sale at Newmarket at the end of the month.”
McMonagle back in the saddle
Dylan Browne McMonagle made a welcome return to the saddle in the race, but his mount Big Cypress proved disappointing, finishing sixth despite going off 10/11 favourite. Billy Lee had started the day on a winning note when partnering State Of Wyoming for Paddy Twomey in the seven-furlong colts and geldings maiden.
The 7/4 favourite grabbed Karrygrant passing the furlong pole to post a length-and-a-half win for owners, the Zinlo Syndicate.
“He’s done it nicely and he’s hit the line well. A mile is probably his trip. He’s got through the ground as well, but he’ll go on better ground,” said Lee afterwards. “I thought it was a nice performance.”
BEN Coen, who rode Karrygrant, went one better for boss Johnny Murtagh in the following race when Contrary To Law ran out a cosy winner of the Guinness Handicap.
The 7/2 favourite came with a strong run to lead inside the final furlong and beat front-runner La La Lucrative by two and a quarter lengths.
“He’s a horse that I thought would progress well from (winning at) Fairyhouse, but a couple of little things didn’t go right for him and he probably needs that kind of set-up, following a fast pace,” said Coen.
“It’s nice to get him back on track. He handles that ground well. If we could get one more out of him (this season), it would be ideal.”
Slattery on the mark again
Andy Slattery is having a terrific season and Cisterna struck again at Roscommon, when taking the second division of the seven-furlong handicap.
Jimmy Dalton made all on the 8/1 shot, as he posted a cosy five-length win over Big Bill.
“He probably won too far. He’s in again next Monday at Gowran in a 0-60 and I don’t think he’ll be running in that,” said Slattery. “He’s in an online sale later on and he’s a fun horse.
“He jumped out there today and got his own way, daylight and an ease in the ground. He’s won two here now for the lads (Alltheblues Syndicate). They are local and they are a happy bunch.”
Front-running ride
Another to benefit from a fine front-running ride was Ryefield Dasher in the 10-furlong rated race. Nicola Burns got her fractions right as the 3/1 shot made all to beat Royal Bones by three lengths.
Trainer Tom Gibney said: “I’m just delighted. It’s great when you find races like that.
“He’s a horse that is progressing and we really like him. We knew he’d like the ground, we’ve been waiting all season for an ease in the ground.
“In fairness, we had all the advantages, we were getting a stone off the top couple. It really did suit us.
“I’m very happy for Seamus and Geraldine (Kiernan). They are good supporters of mine and it’s great to get results for the people who have faith in you.”
IVER Bay had sprung a 50/1 shock on her last visit to the course and showed that was no fluke by striking again, on the flat this time.
The Aidan Howard-trained mare came with a strong surge to lead a furlong out in the mile-and-a-half handicap and record a length-and-three-quarter win under Robbie Colgan.
Howard said of the 11/2 winner: “We were hopeful coming here, she won her little handicap hurdle here and she handles the ground. She loves Roscommon obviously and she did it nicely.
“I’d say she had a little turn of foot over the others. She won it well and I’m delighted for the owners (Cris Mullen), they are good friends of mine.”
Following the running of the race, Diego Lima was hit with a 16-day whip ban, for frequency, after his ride on the eighth-placed Burlington House.
In the other mile-and-a-half handicap the veteran Pillar Of Hope also recorded back-to-back wins.
Patrick McGettigan got a good tune from the eight-year-old, as he grabbed Adel in the closing stages to record a length-and-three-quarter success.
The 11/2 winner was following up on his success at Down Royal last month and owner/trainer Paul Sweeney said: “He won well the last day and we thought he had improved from it.
“That’s more his trip now and, at the end of the year, he’s getting his ground. He’s been a good servant, but he’s getting on in years. We’ll maybe try him over hurdles and see how he gets on.”