Smullen draws level with Keane

Pat Smullen and Colin Keane are now level in the race to be crowned champion Flat rider after the 9-time champion jockey partnered his 68th winner of the campaign on Lord Erskine in the John & Terry Moriarty Memorial Handicap at Listowel.

The Harry Rogers-trained favourite was prominent early.

Owned by Jerry Nolan, the successful four-year-old chased the leader after a couple of furlongs.

Following up on his Roscommon victory from 18 days back, Lord Erskine improved to lead over three furlongs out.

Soon pressed, the Fast Company gelding was ridden a furlong and a half out and he asserted over a furlong out, keeping on well in the final furlong to beat Shoulda Lied by three and three parts of a length.

Harry Rogers said afterwards: "He did it well. He's improving as he's got stronger.

"He wouldn't be in love with the ground but he got away with it. When they get off in front here it seems to be hard to catch them.

"He's in at Ballinrobe next Thursday (over hurdles) but he hasn't really taken to hurdles so far. We might be better off keeping him on the Flat and go back over hurdles next year."

(AM & EM)