So easy for Brendan in Topaz Mile

Brendan Brackan (a nicely supported 10/1 chance) turned an apparently fiercely competitive Topaz Mile Handicap into a procession when bolting up by eight and a half lengths in the hands of Colin Keane at Galway.

The Big Bad Bob gelding chased the speed and he was noted travelling with ease down in the dip. Owned and bred by Anamoine Limited and trained by Ger Lyons, Brendan Brackan assumed command from the quarter mile pole before striding clear to win comfortably. Brog Deas filled the runner-up spot whilst last year's hero Vastonea ran a brave race to take the third spot, a length and three parts adrift.

The big gamble of the contest, Tandem was backed into 11/4 favouritism and he didn't appear to have any excuses back in eighth place.

Shane Lyons representing his brother (working at home) explained: "That was beautiful and a plan that came together. He's a listed/group horse running in a handicap and we were very confident.

"I'm delighted for Mrs Patino (Anamoine owner) and Patrick Cooper her racing manager. They've been very very loyal to the stable for the last fifteen or twenty years.

"This was the plan for the summer but Dubai is the main plan. He's a horse we always liked and he won like a Group 3 horse there.

"Colin is a lovely lovely fella. We told him to put his head down and not to look around when he hit the front. He rode the race to a tee and the horse loved the yielding ground."

Meanwhile Keane (first winner at Galway) disclosed: "That's my biggest win and he did it very easily. I'm delighted – we were going to make the running but Shane said if something else went on to sit in.

"He travelled great, got there and went away to win very easily.

"I didn't think I'd won by that far.

"I'm from Trim and I'm signed on with my father (trainer Gerry). I ride out for Ger six mornings a week and I began in pony racing.

"I was at that for four years and rode over 100 winners.

"I crashed the car last week so this will help with that." (TW & EM)