Colin Keane kept himself within striking distance in the jockeys title race when doubling up at Navan today on the Arthur Moore-trained Sea Ducor in the mile-and-six handicap.

The Sea The Moon gelding went to post a 20/1 shot but was produced with a strong run by Keane to lead passing the two pole.

He asserted over a furlong from home and kept up his gallop to the line to record a two-and-three-quarter length win over El Tren

The winner was making his handicap debut having last been seen finishing mid-division in a Galway maiden in late July.

Moore said:- “He’s a nice horse and I’m delighted with that. He’s going to make a smashing hurdler.

“He’s a natural jumper and we have schooled him over fences as well as hurdles. He has a super attitude and will make a lovely dual purpose horse next year.

“He’s in at Galway on Monday. There are 60 entries but if he gets in he’d have to run.

“This race was sticking out for the last month, a mile and six around Navan with a long straight. That’s the type of horse he is and it’s nice when it works out.

“He came back lame after Galway and that’s why he hasn’t run for a while. He was due to run about three weeks ago but got balloted out so I said we’d hold on for this.

“JD bought him well (for 10,000gns) as a yearling at Newmarket.”

Keane had also scored on Nullifier in the opener. With Donnacha O'Brien having partnered a winner aboard All The King's Men in the previous race this success brought Keane to 101 winners with the current champion on 105.

(Quotes by Alan Magee)