Keatley off the mark Adrian Keatley celebrated his first winner in style as Lady Ranger breezed home in the 32Red Free 10 Bonus Handicap at Chepstow. Keatley, a former assistant to Oliver McKiernan, has only had his licence a matter of weeks but identified this six-furlong event as a good opportunity for the former Peter McCreery inmate after she narrowly missed out when fifth at Cork last Friday. Partnered by 7lb-claimer Sean Corby, Lady Ranger could be called the winner some way out and eventually prevailed by a comfortable two and three-quarter lengths from Bonjour Steve. Keatley told At The Races: "This race looked ideal for her, it was probably a furlong too short in Cork. "This is my second week with a licence. I was assistant to Oliver McKiernan for four years before I went to work for Chris Waller in Sydney for a couple of years. "I came back and wanted to get into Flat racing, I've been assistant to Peter McCreery for a couple of years and he's looked after me, he's been a big help and I rent part of his yard. "Sean gave her a great ride the other night and I contacted Mr (Mick) Halford to ask permission to use him today - he's a valuable 7lb claimer, I don't know if I'd find a better one in England and Ireland. "We've had her in the yard a while. She should win over six another couple of times, we'll see." Sixteen-year-old Corby, who has had seven winners in Ireland and was having his first ride in Britain, said: "My dad owned racehorses as I was growing up, I got into racing that way and started riding out for my boss Mr Halford. "Early on they went a fair gallop, I rode her in Cork the other night and was happy enough to take a lead as long as I could, when she hit the front she did it well."
