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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Keane extends lead in jockeys' table

Fri 8th Sep 2023, 16:15

Ashwiyaa (black and white) Ashwiyaa (black and white)
© Photo Healy Racing

The 2/1 favourite Ashwiyaa was another winner for champion jockey Colin Keane in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden.

Trained by Michael O'Callaghan and carrying the colours of his wife, Siobhain, the daughter of Sioux Nation tracked the leaders and was produced to lead just inside the furlong pole. 

She was driven out by Keane, who has opened up a clear lead of 13 in the jockeys' table as he seeks a fourth title, to beat Back Down Under by a length and a-quarter.

Getting off the mark on her sixth start, the winner had been placed in three maidens and was third in a Group 2 at the Curragh in July.

O'Callaghan said: "Delighted to finally get her head in front.

"She was already third in a Group 2 and she has just had a habit of getting herself beaten for one reason or another. It was my own fault for putting the blinkers on her the last day dropping her back to five, she didn't seem to face them.

"I took them off her today and bounced her back out again.

"Colin said she might be made for that five furlong Listed race in Dundalk.

"She has a lot of speed and wants something to aim at, and just does enough when she gets there. That was the plan, she was able to travel away and she is able to have something to keep her concentrated and go and quicken up

"Great to get her maiden bracket sorted.

"She has strengthened up a lot over the summer and, if she keeps doing, that she could win a little stakes race somewhere."

Quotes from Michael Graham

1st
2/1Fav
Tote €3.00 €1.10
2nd
1.25L
13/2
€1.90
3rd
nk
33/1
€11.80
4th
0.75L
15/2
About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.