Secret Road, yellow cap, wins a battle with Tullypole Annie© Photo Healy Racing
Secret Road gave Colin Keane his 120th winner of the season and brought up a double for the champion jockey in the second split of the Mallow Handicap.
This was a game victory by Secret Road who faced a stern challenge from Tullypole Annie coming to the final furlong.
The whips were drawn flashing past the '1' pole and there was very little between the pair as they fought out the spoils.
Secret Road thrust his head forward close home to get the verdict at 15/2. The runner-up lost little in defeat at 33/1. They drew two and a quarter lengths clear of Florence Thompson (9/1).
Keane said: "He had a good run on his handicap debut and the form has actually worked out alright. It was our mistake to go to Sligo dropping back half a furlong on a tight track when he wasn't battle-hardened enough, didn't know what was happening and got brought wide the whole way around.
"He came here on a track her likes, the ground didn't make a difference to him and he'd probably go an extra furlong.
"It is nice to get a winner for the lads who are owner/breeders."
Keane was on board for his father Gerry. He also won the opening race with Pirate Jenny
The Stewards requested a report from Peter John Flood, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Tullypole Annie, placed second, as compared with its recent form. Peter John Flood reported that his charge had previously raced on good ground at Bellewstown and Gowran Park but she appreciated the yielding ground today which in his opinion brought about the improved performance. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
