COLIN Keane took a big step towards securing the 2019 Crowne Plaza Leading Rider Championship at Dundalk when moving two clear of Ronan Whelan with a near 15/1 double aboard The Mouse Doctor and Dark Magic.

Keane and Whelan went into the penultimate meeting on the polytrack this year locked together on 25 winners but Keane showed his mettle as persistent rain and a very strong cross-wind in the straight made riding conditions tough.