IT was fitting that Colin Keane had the last word at Naas on Sunday as the flat season wrapped up for 2021.

The record-breaking champion jockey took his tally to 141 for the campaign with a double in the final two races of the season.

He landed the featured Colm White Bookmaker November Handicap with a typical never-say-die ride on 33/1 shot Yaxeni.

The Ger Lyons-trained filly was to the fore throughout in the two-miler but looked booked for second when headed by Powerful Aggie two furlongs from home.

Keane, in the colours of SBA Racing Limited, refused to give in and his mount answered gamely inside the final furlong, chasing down her rival to lead again close home for a half-length success.

“It was a brilliant ride and it encapsulated Colin’s whole season in a few minutes,” said assistant trainer Shane Lyons.

“It’s the first time she’s stepped up to two miles and we knew she’d get it no problem. She thrives on that ground. She stays in training next year and it will be all about getting blacktype.”

Winning team

It proved somewhat easier for the champ in the concluding 10-furlong handicap as the David Spratt-owned Team Of Firsts brought up the brace for Keane and his boss Lyons.

The 7/2 favourite kicked clear over two furlongs out to post a comprehensive seven-length success.

“He relishes that ground, he’s a very big horse. We’ve always fancied him as a very good horse and he’s growing into himself. He’s a stakes horse for next year,” said Shane Lyons.

Jason bags another

SMART hurdler Jason The Militant was at home on the heavy ground and landed a nice prize on the flat for his connections when taking the Listed Finale Stakes. Billy Lee swooped into the lead turning for home on the Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding and he soon kicked clear.

The 100/30 favourite had a reduced advantage inside the final furlong but was always holding the finish to Azallya to secure a half-length win.

Jason The Militant won a Grade 2 contest over hurdles as a novice at the track in February 2020, and his trainer said after this latest success: “I’m delighted for Peter (Michael, owner/breeder) and Billy gave him a super ride. He loves that ground. He’s in the Morgiana so that would be a nice piece of work for that!”

Bolger hurdler

Agitare could have a future over jumps, going by the comments of Jim Bolger after his charge bounced back to winning ways in the Safer Gambling Race.The 10/1 shot was very game under Luke McAteer in the conditions event, run over just shy of a mile.

He made all and first repelled the challenge of Wuqood and then Saltonstall to secure a hard-fought neck victory.

“He had a fairly lean season and could go to Dundalk. I’d love to see him over hurdles,” said Bolger.

Bavaria back to land Birdcatcher

KING Of Bavaria made it two wins from two outings when defying top-weight in the Tally-Ho Stud EBF Birdcatcher Nursery.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge was making his first outing since taking a maiden at the track on his debut back in May.

Seamie Heffernan gave the 11/2 shot a confident ride, coming to lead over a furlong out for a length-and-a-half success over Past Time.

“It’s a long time since he ran and we were very worried about the ground. We thought he was an Ascot horse when we ran him here but he just had a little bit of a setback and didn’t get back,” said O’Brien.

“We’ll look forward to him next year, train him for one of the Guineas trials and if we think he’s not going to get a mile come back to five or six with him as he has plenty of speed.”

Banks’ success

Johnny Levins is also looking forward to next year with Carlton Banks after his victory in the opening SOBAC soil.ie Maiden for the Esteem Racing Club.

The Prince Of Lir gelding had been a promising second on his previous outing at the Curragh and stepped up on his third career start.

Donagh O’Connor, partnering his 100th career victory, delivered the 5/2 shot to lead narrowly inside the final furlong and beat Mickey The Steel by a neck.

“I’d imagine we’ll put him away now, and that will put a smile on his face,” said Levins. “He will develop physically and he could be a lovely horse to look forward to next year.”

Fast Joe

Noel Meade is hoping there is more to come from the other maiden winner on the card, Joe Masseria.

The Fast Company gelding handled the testing surface well when claiming the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over just shy of a mile.

Champion apprentice Dylan Browne McMonagle produced the 10/1 shot to lead inside the final furlong for a one-and-three-quarter-length success.

“He should improve from two to three because he’s still a very backward horse. I actually bought him online, without seeing him, for €12,500,” said Meade, who trains the winner for Mrs Alexandra Matthews.

Earls again

Garvan Donnelly was delighted to see Earls sign off for the season with another win in the Kessaar Handicap over five furlongs.

The Dream Ahead gelding had won the same race last year and revelled in the mud, leading a furlong from home to record a length-and-a-half win over Improving.

Donnelly, who trains the 9/2 shot for Martin Sheridan, said: “He’s been knocking on the door all year but just never got that real heavy ground, that’s the key to him.”