Hayes completes Dundalk double Jockey Chris Hayes has combined with trainer Donnacha O’Brien more regularly in recent times and today completed a Dundalk double on the trainer’s handicap debutante Keepsgettingbetter (12/1), in the Winter Series Champion Trainer Handicap. English Oaks-winner Hayes had earlier won on the Bill Durkan-trained Sportiing Hero and doubled today’s score on Keepsgettingbetter, who battled well to beat Iff In Doubt (11/10f) by a half-length. Hayes, who partnered his first two winners for O’Brien in 2025, said "Keepsgettingbetter was very raw with me here the last day, when it was her first time under lights. I thought, on her homework, she had taken a step forward but you can see she was very green throughout. “I committed to swing out wide to try and get momentum built up and she stuck her head out. What I liked was that every call I gave her, she answered. She's very, very genuine, it was a lovely bit of placing and I thought another two furlongs wouldn't be any harm to her. "I'm grateful for him (O'Brien) giving me the opportunity because I'm in there two days a week, so it is nice to get it.” Quotes from Michael Graham
