Branding and Colin Keane© Photo Healy Racing
Champion jockey Colin Keane scored with an enterprising ride on Branding (12/1) at Navan today, as the all-the-way winners raced alone along the stands' side rail, to make all and easily land the Arkle Bar Handicap.
The Advertise-colt got off to a flyer and while 14 rivals raced on the far-side rail, Branding kept quickening under a nicely judged ride, to comfortably repel Rappell and win well.
Regarding the Michael O'Callaghan owned-and-trained winner, five-time champion Keane reported “it felt easy for him and is a horse with plenty ability. We didn't think it would take him this long to win and we'd have been disappointed if he couldn't do something today off 69.
“I didn't think there was a bias (in ground conditions) and it is where ever the best horse goes to be honest. I thought when I was walking it earlier it was much the same the whole way across.
He added “to be honest he's been disappointing and I thought he would have won a maiden for us last year but maybe he was just a bit immature and weak. He's a good lump of a horse.
“We weren't really sure what his trip was but Michael was adamant he had enough speed for five (furlongs). He put the blinkers on so we kept it very straightforward.
“He ran straight and through the line so we can't knock him today and hopefully the handicapper isn't too hard on him.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
