Keane doubles-up on 'very fast' Zodiacus

Colin Keane quickly doubled his tally on Zodiacus in the Celebrating Sean Mairtin's 100th Birthday Maiden, just thirty-five minutes after his opening race success on Peace Charter

Trained by Tom McCourt, Zodiacus was slow into stride on debut over the course and distance earlier this month, but still managed to finish a good fifth of twenty.

Drawn in stall one, the daughter of Zoffany made virtually all from the far side group, and was ridden to assert with less than two furlongs to race.

She held a clear advantage from the furlong pole, and came home an eased down three length winner from newcomer Anthonysoprano in second.

The runner-up was returned at 33/1 under Mark Gallagher for Kieran Cotter, while Philipine Cobra (25s to 16s), who led the stands side group, was another length back in third. Sonaiyla was sent off a well-backed 5/2 favourite (from 9/2), and she finished fourth with Ronan Whelan aboard for Mick Halford

The winner was bought by owner John McGovern for E14,000 as a foal, and is a half-sister to Listed winner Field Day who was fourth in the 2010 running of the Prix De L'Opera at Longchamp.

"She's very fast. We thought she was good but you are always afraid when you go for a maiden that you are going to come up against something," said McCourt.

"She improved a lot from her last run and she's very pacey. Colin said she's still very green.

"She did it the hard way really as she was on her own and all the pace seemed to be on the stand's side.

"Hopefully she'll come on from that. I'd say that's probably as quick as she wants the ground, I'd say the softer the better with her.

"She's a very nice filly. There is a Listed race coming up in Cork, whether it is a bit soon or not we'll have to see. It's a six-furlong three-year-old and we might have a look at that.

"It's nice to have one that class, she seems very good."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson