Captain Teemo and Colin Keane on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Ger Lyons and Colin Keane continued their excellent run of form at Fairyhouse this evening taking the sixth, the Book Your Hen Or Stag At Fairyhouse Handicap, with Captain Teemo
The three-year-old son of Oratorio ran three times last year in maidens and he made his seasonal reappearance in another maiden at Dundalk in April, finishing third of eight behind Belisarius.
Making his handicap debut this evening he opened on-course at 16/1 before being backed into 12/1 at the off.
Settled in mid-division the Sean Jones owned colt was fifth entering the straight and he was soon ridden.
He improved into third under two furlongs out, getting to the front inside the final furlong before keeping on well in the closing stages to score by two lengths. Hardstone who was backed from 10/1 to 6/1 on-course, finished back in second under Niall McCullagh for Johnny Murtagh after attempting to make all. Spring Focus was another three parts of a length back in third, keeping on strongly close home after meeting with trouble in running.
He was returned at 40/1 under Rory Cleary for Jim Bolger while Pyromaniac who was sent off the 7/4 favourite (opened at 5/4 on-course), finished a disappointing fourth a further half a length back under Fran Berry for Tony Martin.
Ger Lyons said afterwards: "He is a gorgeous looking horse but he needs top of the ground.
"I was a bit suspect if he’d be man enough to take on the older brigade but the step up in trip and the fast ground suited him.
"He is again at Navan on Saturday in a 3yo only handicap and we will see how he comes out of this.
"They (Oratorio progeny) all seem to have grand temperament and all the ones I have seem to want good ground.
"I’m sure he’ll be going to the horses in training sale in time and I’m sure some of the jumping lads will want him."
Lyons has now had eight winners so far this month while Keane has had nine.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
