Toccata Blue is driven out by Colin Keane to get the better of Maudlin Magdalen (leading)© Photo Healy Racing
After earlier winning aboard Ishebayorgrey Colin Keane doubled-up in the Le Bruin Handicap as he partnered Toccata Blue to victory for his boss Ger Lyons.
The five-year-old roan gelding finished second on his last two starts at Limerick and Gowran respectively and he was sent off the 10/3 joint-favourite this evening.
Settled behind the leaders in a share of third he was pushed along entering the straight.
He was ridden to go in pursuit of the leaders with a furlong and a half to race and got to the front inside the final 50 yards, getting up to win by half a length. Maudlin Magdalen who was the other joint-favourite, was the one he just denied and she had to settle for second under Ian Queally for Donal Kinsella. Sheeba completed the placings a further head back in third under Connor King for David Marnane at 9/1 (was 16's this morning).
Shane Lyons said afterwards: "A mile is his perfect trip and he likes to run fresh. He's game out and never runs a bad race. He loves to just tuck in behind the pace, and has been a great servant.
"His owner, Damian Nolan, is originally from Westmeath (hence the maroon and white colours) and lives in Paris."
Colin Keane added: "He has been banging on the door and he deserved to get his head in front.
"He probably wanted the full mile tonight as they went good and hard and it just took him the full trip to get going. But in saying that I was nearly always confident we were going to get there."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
