Quick double for Keane as Tazaral impresses

Tazaral (9/4) outclassed his rivals in the second division of the Thomastown Maiden to give Colin Keane a quick double after Zola Sakura half an hour earlier.

The Aga Khan’s Fastnet Rock gelding, eighth on debut in a strong maiden at Leopardstown, tracked the leaders and was always travelling within himself.

Coming through to lead over a furlong out, he stretched out well under a hand ride to beat the 15/8 favourite County Wicklow by five lengths.

Keane partnered the winner’s half-sister Tarnawa to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland in November.

Kris Weld, assistant to winning trainer Dermot Weld, said: “He won nicely and it looked a reasonable maiden beforehand. He has it on the page and it's nice that he's got his act together and he's won well at the line.

“We've no great plans going forward, we'll see what the handicapper does and see where he slots in over the coming months.

“He's a fine big horse and hopefully he's the sort of horse that could have a good rest of the season.

“He's been a bit backward and has taken a long time to come to himself. He's done that nicely and hopefully can continue to do well for the rest of the season.”

Quotes from Gary Carson