Keane flies home for near 35/1 double Colin Keane was in Newmarket earlier today to ride work on some of Juddmonte’s Royal Ascot candidates but made the trip back to Limerick worthwhile when completing a double in the featured Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Memorial Handicap aboard Facethepuckout. The veteran Excelebration gelding confirmed the promise of his third at Listowel ten days ago to record a seventh career win at odds of 11/2. Expound set steady fractions in front with Excelebration keeping close tabs on the front-runner. The pair were in the right place as the pace quickened in the straight and the Michael O’Callaghan-trained nine-year-old got on top inside the final 100 yards to score by a neck. Perfect Judgement held every chance inside the final furlong but couldn’t find any extra in the closing stages a further half a length away in third. O’Callaghan was represented by his race planner Justin O’Hanlon who said, “He had a good run at Listowel the last day over six furlongs, which was a bit sharp for him, and was flat out the whole way before coming home well. Today's slow-run race suited him, and Colin said he had plenty left at the line if he needed more. "We were concerned the ground was quick enough for him, but he has done well and is a proper horse. Seven (furlongs) with an ease is probably his ideal race and we'll look at Galway now, where he could go for the Ahonoora (Handicap)." Keane was also on the mark earlier on the card when bringing the Ray Cody-trained Enziya (9/2) with a perfectly timed run from off the pace to lead close home. Quotes by Tom Weekes
