Keeping's solo run comes to and end© Photo Healy Racing
The Ger Lyons-trained Keeping produced a smart front-running performance to land the ten furlong fillies maiden at Dundalk but her jockey Emmet McNamara became the third rider tonight to end up on the deck after being unshipped on his way back to the parade ring.
McNamara jumped out to lead on the Sheikh Mohammed-owned filly and she travelled well at the head of affairs.
7/4 favourite Bint Nayef chased her hard inside the final furlong but couldn't peg back the front-runner, going down by three-quarters-of-a-length.
The winner jinked when cantering back to the parade ring and got rid of McNamara before running loose around the track for a couple of laps.
Her rider was straight back to his feet and was re-united with his mount after she was caught.
The unfancied 14/1 shot (15/2 this morning) had settled better today than on her debut at Leopardstown last August when she had also cut out the running.
“We were delighted with how she trained during the winter,” said Shane Lyons afterwards.
“She's a real good actioned filly and we'll see what the handicapper does with her now. She's one to look forward to over 1m2f plus and is still a bit green.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
