Lyons and Keane double up with hotpot Heart

Keeper's Heart asserted in the closing stages to land the odds in the second division of the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden at Dundalk, giving Ger Lyons and Colin Keane a quick double in both heats.

The son of Saxon Warrior went to post a 4/7 shot having been second on his debut run at Naas last month.

Keane produced his mount to challenge, travelling strongly, early in the straight and asked him to kick on over a furlong from home.

Keeper's Heart drifted left briefly when asked to go about his business but soon straightened up and was nicely on top late on as he recorded a length-and-a-half win over Cuban Confusion

Assistant Shane Lyons said: "Stall 14 and it is a long straight out the back, Colin had to ride the draw a little bit, but to be fair to the horse on only his second run, he helped him.

"He was there to be shot at turning into the straight, green and all as we thought he would be. His class came to the fore and he stuck it out well.

"He was bought to be that (a black-type horse next year) - he's a half to Elysium, Noel Meade's Group 3 winner.

"He's 510kg and will only do well over the winter. It is great to get two runs into him and to be able to put him away.

"We didn't really look at the form to the extent that we always liked him."

On the season, he added: "It is a rebuilding year. We have some nice two-year-olds/three-year-olds for next year."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)