Ronan Keating and his wife Yvonne were easily spotted on a low-key meeting at Cork this evening but the singer was out of luck with his Great Huzzar which could only manage sixth to winner Estithmaar in the Cork Racecourse Maiden at Cork today.

The Keatings are members of the Bucket List Syndicate, owners of Great Huzzar, but their colt failed to pick up in the straight, fading to eventually finish a well held sixth. Life is certainly a, cough, roller-coaster for Keating and the Boyzone star will be hoping for better luck as a judge on Australia’s X-Factor in the coming weeks.

Today’s winner Estithmaar (9/10f) needed a slice of luck to score, eventually extricating himself from a ‘pocket’ on the inner rail up the straight to get his head in front close home.

Winning trainer Kevin Prendergast was not present for the win.

Thomas Weekes