Lean And Keen moving through the ranks

Lean And Keen took a step up in class in his stride as he maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles in Listowel.

Sean Byrne’s four-year-old gelding contested the Cashel Novice Hurdle for which he was sent off an 11/2 chance in the five-runner field. He had won his maiden hurdle in Cork after switching codes from the flat.

Jessica Harrington 's Rae's Creek went off the red-hot 8/11 favourite to follow up on his Ballinrobe success. He set out to make all, but made a mistake at the third last which saw him pulled up before the second last after he had dropped to the rear.

Barry Geraghty and Pyromaniac (7/2) tried to make the best way home, but were picked off before the last by Lean And Keen and Davy Russell. The pair won by a length and three parts.

Trainer Sean Byrne said: “He improved a good bit from the last day. He loves that (hurdling), he’s a big horse. We were a little bit afraid that the ground might be sticky, but he has run well at the Curragh on that ground. If the weather stays dry we might go again.

“Davy said he would even jump a fence in time. He’s still only four. Davy gave him a great ride. We’ve about 15 horses and a few more to come in. The Bugler is one to look out for.”

Davy Russell commented: “He did it well. We were afraid the ground had gone for him but down through his form he ran very well on soft ground at the Curragh. He seemed to handle it well.

“Barry’s horse made a mistake at the second last which helped me get back into it. The Byrnes do a great job.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson