Keane back five in front after Grande win

Colin Keane responded to Pat Smullen's earlier winner at Navan when Il Piccolo Grande moved him five clear once again in the jockeys' title race.

Smullen hit the front a furlong and a half from home on Excelli in the Arkle Bar Handicap but he was chased down inside the final furlong by Ger Lyons' charge.

Il Piccolo Grande asserted in good style close home to record a three-and-three-quarter length success at odds of 9/1.

The winner gained his only previous win for Clive Brittain at Carlisle in September 2015 and had been well held in recent starts.

“He works really well at home, and David Spratt has joked all summer that this lad will win when you don’t expect,” said Lyons.

“It’s really down to the way Colin is riding and we had to get into the horses head. You need to arrive late and wide, and don’t give him any excuse to lie down.

“Colin is having seven or eight rides a day with Pat and it can only make him better which is a testament to Pat Smullen. I’m ticking off each week he’s in front, and if we can get him over the line it would be fantastic.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)