A SEASON of steady progression yielded a first success at stakes level for the reliable Keats who bridged a near decade long gap for Aidan O’Brien in the Listed Navigation Stakes.

The Ballydoyle trainer last won this one-mile event with Look At Me in 2011 but in Keats he fielded a solid contender.

This son of Galileo and Airwave was by no means the highest-rated horse in the field but he was turning out just a week after finishing second in another listed event at Listowel.

From early on, Seamie Heffernan’s mount held a nice position tracking the leader and he asserted over the course of the last furlong to see off Free Solo and possibly win with more to spare than the winning margin of a length and a quarter

“I was a little unlucky on him at Listowel last week when he got back further than ideal and was eating up the ground coming to the line. He backed that up and won snugly at the line,” said Heffernan. “He’s learning from his races and there’s a bit more to come from him.”

Keane senior

Colin Keane moved to within one of Shane Foley in the jockeys’ championship after scoring aboard Treble Cone (11/2), trained by his father Gerry, in the second division of the 45-65 rated mile handicap.

The five-year-old had shown signs of returning to form at Navan last time when third to Pulsating and on 4lb better terms as well as sporting a first time visor he defeated that same opponent by half a length. Treble Cone is owned by the Meath & West Syndicate and this is the fourth winner that Keane has partnered for his father this season.

The market spoke volumes when it came to the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden where Ascot Adventure, who was backed from as big as 10/1 into 100/30, made a winning debut for Andy Slattery.

This Adrian Costello-owned colt cost a mere £4,800 as a yearling despite being out of a stakes-winning sprinter and he produced a professional effort under the trainer’s son, Andy.

When the front-running Hyde Park Barracks gave way nearing the last furlong, Ascot Adventure took over the lead and he maintained a useful advantage to hit the line one and three-quarter lengths ahead of the staying-on Shelley Banks.

“He is named Ascot Adventure because we thought he might be an Ascot type but he just took a bit of time. He’s a lovely horse and a fast one and he’ll probably be sold now,” stated the trainer.

After keeping exalted company through the first part of the season when finishing fifth in the both the Irish 2000 Guineas and the Irish Derby, the Jim Bolger-trained Fiscal Rules (5/6) dropped in class to take in the seven-furlong maiden.

This Jackie Bolger-owned son of Make Believe travelled easily for much of the race for Kevin Manning and registered a straight-forward length and a quarter success.

“He was doing nothing in front and I’d say the better the race the better the horse. He’s a fine big horse and physically he will come into his own next year,” remarked the jockey.

That’s Mad (11/2), who had the misfortune to bump into A Step Too Far at a relatively early stage of her progression when second at Bellewstown in August, got off the mark in the 45-70 rated five-furlong handicap.

On his third start for Leanne Breen, the comparatively lightly-raced four-year-old looked the one to beat from shortly after halfway and he sustained his effort for Gavin Ryan to see off the strong-finishing Keepthebestsideout by three-quarters of a length.

The Tommy Boys Partnership-owned gelding was giving the trainer her second victory of the season.

“He’s an improving horse and I think he will be a nice horse next year. He might go to Dundalk but well try to keep him to grass mostly,” reported the trainer.

His season possibly hadn’t developed in the manner expected after he made winning return in a Naas maiden in June but Dermot Weld’s Hightimeyouwon (17/2) bounced back to form in the seven-furlong handicap.

The 79-rated Newtown Anner Stud-owned four-year-old was travelling notably well for Oisin Orr against the far rail from some way out and he asserted in good style over the last furlong for a clear-cut success over Prisoner’s Dilemma who came home against the stands’ side rail.

APPRENTICE Dylan Browne McMonagle enjoyed a double which began when The Cola Kid provided trainer Michael Browne with his first winner in just under four years in the 45-65 rated six-furlong handicap.

On his return from nearly two months off, this Patrick Moyles-owned three-year-old was wearing both cheek pieces and a tongue strap for the first time and he was restored to the form that saw him take second behind Mogwli at Fairyhouse back in June. The 28/1 shot got on top in the last furlong to account for Sunset Nova by half a length.

“It’s the best thrill in the world to have another winner although I thought I’d never have another one. He’s a tough horse and might be able to win another one,” declared Browne.

The second leg of the double was supplied by Austin Leahy as Han Solo (5/2) deservedly got his turn in the first division of the 45-65 rated mile handicap.

This gelding had been beaten less than a length into second on his three previous outings this season but there was to be no agonising near miss this time as he collared Legal Thriller in the last few strides to score by a head. This was the jockey’s third winner for Leahy this season.

MARTIN Ferris, representative for Hilary McLoughlin, brought to the attention of the stewards that the stable allotted to the trainer’s Is Fantastic was found to have a particular kind of matter on the inside of the door which was noted to have come into contact with the horse’s body.

Ferris expressed his concerns that the stable had not been properly cleaned before today’s fixture and if any prohibited substance may have been contained in the matter.

Evidence was also heard from the track’s general manager Andrew Hogan who detailed the post-race cleaning and disinfecting process completed in the stable yard following every fixture.