Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Donal Murphy
Keane 'at his best' as Beauty battles back
Beauty Crescent (far side) just gets the better of Congo River
© Photo Healy Racing
Beauty Crescent (10/11f) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, as he made the breakthrough in the opener at Navan, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Second and third on his first two starts, the Ger Lyons trained bay was gelded since his most recent effort and was fitted with blinkers for the first time today.
Soon in a share of the lead with market rival Congo River the winning son of Acclamation looked in trouble when headed from the two-furlong pole.
Switched to the outer with over a furlong to race, he rallied gamely when ridden and regained the lead inside the final 50 yards, coming home a neck to the good under Colin Keane.
.Congo River (3/1) who wandered inside the final furlong had to settle for second under Seamie Heffernan for Aidan O'Brien, with Not Just Yet all of 12-lengths back in third.
"That was Colin at his best," Lyons said.
"I debated leaving the blinkers off because he ran keen to post at the Curragh. Colin did the right thing down at the start on the day - he pulled him out to think of another day.
"His future is in Hong Kong and they have pulled 12 lengths clear so it was a good performance by the front two.
"I can only imagine once I speak to Mr Kwok (of Beauty Stable) that we'll put him into quarantine and send him on to Hong Kong. I'd say that's what the plan will be long term."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee