Keane makes a winning return to action at Dundalk Colin Keane made his first ride of 2026 a winning one as Autocrat justified good support in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Claiming Race at Dundalk. Owned and trained by Paul Sweeney, the 3/1 (from 5/1) chance was patiently ridden by the former champion before making headway early in the straight. The son of No Nay Never headed 11/4 favourite Porsche Lad about a furlong out and the pair stretched clear of the remainder with Keane’s mount asserting in the closing stages to score by a length and three-quarters. There was a gap of eight lengths back to Nibras Rainbow in third. Sweeney said, “He ran here last Friday and we thought he should have been winning it. He should have been more than capable for tonight. “Colin was looking for the ride on him and available, so we put him on. It is not often you get a man of his calibre. “He has done it well, but he keeps a bit for himself. “He was down with Dick Donohoe, and he was on a break for a while. We gave him a couple of weeks off and just brought him back (last week). If he is claimed, that is the nature of the game.” There were friendly claims for the first two home, while Comfort Line (finished tenth) was claimed for €6,000 by Ado McGuinness. Quotes by Michael Graham
