Cool Keane ride sees Ecliptical home in front

The Ger Lyons trained Ecliptical justified plenty of market support, as he came from off the pace to land the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden.

Slow into stride on debut at the Curragh on Saturday, the son of Elzaam finished out his race well, showing promise when tenth of eighteen.

Available at 25/1 in early shows, the bay colt eventually went off at just 4/1 this afternoon, with Colin Keane in the saddle for owner Vincent Gaul.

Towards rear in the early stages, he was pushed along and began to work his way through the field from over three furlongs out.

Ridden on the outer from the furlong pole, he soon came with his challenge, getting to the front inside the final 150 yards, before going on to register a comfortable length and a half success. My Minervina (11/1 from 16s) also came home well from off the pace and she finished second under Shane Foley for Jessica Harrington. A Case Of You (15/2), who looked set to score over a furlong out, tired in the closing stages and eventually finished another two and three parts of a length back in third.

The Joseph O'Brien trained Kauri Cliffs was sent off the 11/5 favourite and he finished fourth.

Shane Lyons said afterwards: "We didn't really want to run him back that quick but Vincent (Gaul) is a local owner and loves to support Bellewstown. It's a Foran qualifier with a good pot and a plus ten bonus.

"They went that quick early doors that Colin said he went slower at the Curragh (over six furlongs). He felt they would come back to him and he's so genuine that he handled the ground.

"No horse really wants tacky heavy ground like that. It should stand to him for the final of this series over seven furlongs on autumn ground.

"He was only ready to start at the Curragh and the penny just started to drop late on. From now on he'll improve as he had a touch of sore shins in the middle of the summer and we backed off him.

"He's as fresh as paint for the backend of the season and hopefully it will fall right for the final."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee