Van Demon and Colin Keane stall 2 won the Newmarket Maiden from Hardpoint © Photo Healy Racing
The Noel Meade trained Van Demon made just about all under Colin Keane to run out a game winner of the opening Newmarket Maiden at Cork.
With three runs already beside his name, the son of Australia had attained a mark of 83 prior to this race. Taking on a number of debutants and lightly raced opposition, Keane made the most of his mounts previous experience, bouncing out and making every post a winning one.
Favourite Jupiter Rock had no excuses back in third, as he was always well placed under Dylan Browne McMonagle. However, having held every chance in second entering the straight, the Joseph O'Brien trained colt had no more to offer. Hardpoint made a very encouraging debut for the Jessica Harrington stable, keeping on nicely to take the second spot.
Colin Keane said: "he has improved with each run, he had a nice draw today, the ground was lovely and it was very straightforward. Nobody really wanted to go on and he relaxes anywhere you put him.
"He saves plenty for himself because he relaxes, gets this trip well and was due to do that today. If anything came to him I think he would have picked up again.
"He is fairly versatile distance-wise and he is just improving with his racing."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
