Keane re-takes winter series lead

After a brace it looked like Pat Smullen might swamp Colin Keane on the final night of the winter series at Dundalk. It was Keane doing the 'swamping' though, close home on Elbereth winner of the Visit attheraces.com Race.

If Smullen had completed a treble here, on favourite Fire Fighting he'd have gone one up on Keane. That looked like what might transpire as Mark Johnston's charge gave it a good go from the front.

However Keane conjured up a whirlwind finish from Andrew Balding's Mount Nelson mare, Elbereth, and she prevailed by half a length.

"It worked out well. Mr Balding told me beforehand that she's very straight-forward, stays galloping and all she does is lengthen," said Keane.

"I got a lovely lead off Pat the whole way but in saying that I thought I was in trouble for a couple of strides.

"When I got stuck into her she put her head down and was very game for me. She was only really getting going when she hit the line and further will be no problem to her. She's a lovely big filly.

"The form was in the book for her to beat Mr Johnston's horse. Obviously he's a good horse but was having to come back off a lay-off."

(GC & EM)