Search

Cheltenham 2024
Main Site
Cheltenham Home
Cheltenham Cards
Cheltenham Results
-
Cheltenham Offers
Cheltenham Odds
-
Cheltenham Tips
Cheltenham News
Prestbury Cup
Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
-
Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News

Donal Murphy
100 winners 'the icing on the cake' for Keane
Colin Keane and Warnaq are welcomed back in to the parade ring
© Photo Healy Racing
Warnaq made a day to remember even better for Colin Keane, as she provided the new champion with his 100th winner of the season in the Jumps Racing Returns To Naas November 11th Maiden.
Placed on her first two starts, the Matthew Smith trained daughter of Arcano was available at 3/1 last night, opening on-course at 2s, before going off the clear 13/8 favourite.
Settled in mid-division on the outer, she took closer order on the approach to the straight. She was ridden to lead over a furlong out, and kept on well from there, going on to score by three lengths. Great Trango finished second under Pat Smullen for Harry Kelly at 11/4, while Ilikehim (16/1) was another seven and a half lengths back in third for Declan McDonogh and William Durkan.
Matthew Smith said afterwards: "She did it well. She probably got there too well and a bit too soon but is a lovely straight forward filly who is improving with every run. She stays well and the step up in trip helped her. It's great for Colin to get to 100 winners as well."
Keane added: "It's been relentless all season, and the last month haven't been that enjoyable. It's been hard work, and it's only since Friday that I've really started enjoying it.
"I would not be in this position without the backing of Ger (Lyons), and to get the 100 winners is really the icing on the cake."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
