Keithen Kennedy was cheered home by favourite backers when Giuseppe Cassioli took the honours in the mile handicap at Leopardstown.

The market leader travelled smoothly into contention a furlong and a-half out and hit the front just outside the furlong pole. Grey Leader attempted to go with him in the closing stages and Rio Largo flashed home down the outer, but Giuseppe Cassioli saw them off.

He won by half a length at 9/2 from 7/1 shot Rio Largo. Grey Leader was just a short head away in third at 5/1. There was a four-length gap back to Ferrybank (11/2) in fourth.

This maintained Giuseppe Cassioli's good form this year as he now has two victories and a placed run in Foxrock together with a placed effort in Down Royal.

Ger O'Leary said: “It was a beautiful ride again by Keithen. He said that he wasn't trying very hard early on, but he got into it then.

“He said he parked the bus and when he heard the horses coming behind him he went on again.

“It's a lovely win and I'm delighted. He'll go to Galway on the Tuesday for a 50-80 over seven furlongs. It should suit him nicely.

“He's consistent, he's healthy, and he's keeping the weight on this year whereas in previous years it was hard to keep the weight on him for some reason.”

Giuseppe Cassioli was an Italian sculptor and painter.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson