Apache Trooper is driven out close home by Colin Keane© Photo Healy Racing
Ger Lyons (seven winners to date in June) and Colin Keane (eight winners so far this month) continued their tremendous run of form as they combined to take the third at Roscommon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden, with Apache Trooper
This son of Oratorio (quick double for him after Have A Nice Day won the previous contest) made his debut at Naas last month, finishing fifth behind Zafayan with Gypsy King and Fog Of War in second and third respectively (both won since).
Available at 8/1 this morning the Sean Jones owned colt opened on-course at just 11/2 before going off the 7/2 second favourite.
After breaking from the stalls he soon led and made all, coming under pressure two furlongs out keeping on strongly from there to score by a comfortable three and a quarter lengths. Massinga (4/1) kept on close home to take second on debut under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld, while Henson who was sent off the 5/2 favourite (was 7/4 this morning), finished a further three parts of a length back in third.
Ger Lyons said afterwards: "I give Shane (his brother and assistant) full credit, he was adamant to run him as he said it is not soft out there it is just soft on top, and he walks every track so every credit to him.
"It was a good ride by Colin. A mile and two will do the job through the summer for this horse and he will be ideal for other climates."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
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