Keane doubles up on Fairytale Princess

Colin Keane doubled up at Dundalk as a change of tactics worked the oracle with Fairytale Princess in division one of the Christmas Party Nights Bookings Are Open Handicap.

The 4/1 favourite was up with the pace throughout and Keane sent her to the front over a furlong out before keeping on strongly to beat Barretstown who made much of the running, by two and three quarter lengths. Union Flag was a further two and a half lengths away in third.

Keane initiated his double aboard the odds-on Alabama in the opener.

Winning trainer Ger Lyons' brother and assistant Shane said, "We are going to put everything down to Kevin Blessing the owner (Woodridge Stables Limited). Obviously, we are delighted for Kevin.

"This is a well-bred filly, but she is a beautiful-looking filly. Her half-sister (Raknah) runs in the 'Million' tomorrow.

"She has been disappointing for us on slow ground that we thought she wanted. She just wasn't getting home on it when we ran her over an extended trip.

"She hit the line hard today and has run out real well, so obviously she has acted on the surface.

"Kevin said we'll give her one more try and try and make the running with her, and that's what we duly did. All down to Kevin.

"He bred her four-year-old sister and he just bought her back online a couple of weeks ago, so it is all coming into place."

Quotes by Michael Graham