Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Keanes a lean Mean machine
FRESH from their Irish Cambridgeshire success with Laughifuwant at the Curragh on Friday, the father and son combination of Gerry and Colin Keane might strike again with Mean Fomhair in the Castlerea Handicap in Roscommon.
This Fast Company mare triumphed easily in a lower grade over this course and distance a year ago when relishing the heavy ground, before acquitting herself well by finishing second twice.
Returning after a ten-month absence, this full-sister to Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Jet Setting, ran a cracker over this course and distance two weeks ago, travelling strongly into the race and, after a tussle, going down by a half-length to Rocket Science.
That outing should have left the Keane mare spot-on for today’s test.
She gets the vote to beat top-weight Royal Canford – unplaced behind Nullifier in Naas after going up 8lb for a win in Galway– and Atlas, far from disgraced in the Cambridgeshire on Friday.
The opening two-year-old event, the day’s feature, looks a cracking contest.
And Jessica Harrington’s Los Andes – conqueror of subsequent winner Fernando Vichi in Navan – might have the edge over the O’brien pair Vafortino (rated 99) and Killarney scorer San Martino.
Downpatrick stages Bank Holiday jumps action.
The Charles Byrnestrained Kendancer – a beaten favourite but placed in his last two starts at Ballinrobe and Tramore respectively – might recoup losses in the Randox Health Maiden Hurdle.
Gordon Elliott’s Papal Lodge is the obvious threat.
Gone Racing might reverse recent course and distance form with Deauville Society (they filled the placings behind Gotta Getaway) in the Ulster Carpets Handicap Hurdle.