The Ger Keane trained Effernock Lad gained a first win in the Al Aasfa 2 Stables Dubai Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick today, winning under seven pounds claimer Mark Flanagan.

Flanagan and Keane teamed up with winner Waterloo Chateaux last May, a first winner for the jockey since March 2008, having taken time out from racing in the interim.

In today's race, Effernock Lad made all and while he looked a sitting duck once Crown Theatre gave chase entering the home straight, Flanagan's mount responded much better once force was applied to both horses. Effernock Lad eventually scoring by two and three parts of a length.

Keane, whose son Colin Keane has made huge leaps forward this season as stable jockey to Ger Lyons, stated “I thought he would win a point-to-point, but he was backward and had lots of little niggles and it was an ordinary looking race. He gallops and jumps and we fancied him a bit on his run in Ballinrobe where he was second. We thought if he wasn't in the first three there, we were going nowhere and he was also fourth in a better race at Ballinrobe.

“We'll probably have to go for a handicap now and I'm delighted for Mark (Flanagan), who is a great lad. He's from Kells and lives in Trim and I try and give him rides.”

Quotes from Michael Graham