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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Keane has Championship line in sight

Tue 24th Oct 2017, 18:09

Colin Keane is clear, on Les AreauxColin Keane is clear, on Les Areaux
© Photo Healy Racing

Colin Keane lit up the concluding race at a low-key Fairyhouse meeting today as the rider appeared to put the seal on a first Jockeys’ Championship with a win on Les Areaux in the concluding Christmas Parties December 16th Handicap (div 2).

Keane sent Les Areaux clear in the home straight and in the end the pair beat Nannys Well by four and a half lengths, to move the rider to 91 winners for the season, five clear of nearest pursuer Pat Smullen.

There are currently six flat meetings left this season, which concludes at Naas on November 4, and with Smullen suspended for Leopardstown on Saturday, it means that nine-times Champion Smullen has approximately just 28 races (divided races excepting) left for him to catch Keane, who is free to ride in all of the concluding fixtures.

At the beginning of the day Paddy Power went 1/3 about Keane gaining a first title, against Smullen at 9/4 but with Smullen failed to win on any of his eight rides, four of which were favourites, the bookmakers have since closed betting on the market.

Les Areaux’s trainer Johnny Murtagh wasn’t present but afterwards Keane briefly mentioned “stepping up in trip probably brought about a bit of improvement in him, and he handles that ground well.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

1st
7/2JFav
Tote €4.40 €1.20
2nd
4.5L
10/1
€2.50
3rd
3L
20/1
€5.90
4th
0.5L
7/2JFav
€1.80
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.