Company Keeping takes honours for McConnell

Company Keeping got off the mark at the ninth time of asking in Leopardstown's 47-65 handicap over seven furlongs.

The 3/1 favourite raced prominently under Declan McDonogh with the pair fourth at the halfway stage.

They made good headway to close on Alice Milligan straightening for home and worked their way to a narrow advantage at the furlong marker. Run The Jewels was the danger on the outer, however, Company Keeping was driven out to win by half a length from the easy-to-back 9/2 runner-up. London Palladium was gambled on from 22/1 to 12/1 and finished third ahead of Rosie Rock (11/1).

Trainer John McConnell said: “He deserved that. Obviously he has no problem with turf and he got a lovely ride from Declan.

“He was still a little bit green so hopefully there is a bit more to come from him.

“He's tough, genuine and this has been the plan for a good few weeks so we delighted to get it on the day.”

Company Keeping's last four runs came on the Polytrack at Dundalk (placed twice).

Additional reporting by Gary Carson