Keane and Meade among the winners with Joe Masseria

Colin Keane and Noel Meade teamed up with topweight Joe Masseria to win the Ireland West Airport Knock Handicap at Galway.

The son of Fast Company is bred to appreciate an ease in the ground and certainly looked at home in the underfoot conditions as he travelled strongly before quickening away from rivals.

Dropping back from 10f here, the Meade trained gelding was held up by Keane in the early stages of the race. However, a sweeping run around the outside of the field on the approach to the straight proved the race winning move, as the gelding held the late challenge of Mr Trinket

Keane had to be at his strongest to maintain an advantage as he found his mount hanging under pressure inside the final furlong. Despite the best efforts of Conor Hoban on the runner-up, the line came in time for Joe Masseria.

Colin Keane said, “He travelled into it very smoothly and probably a bit too well. We nursed him as long as we could to the furlong pole. He picked up well and was getting a bit idle towards the line.

“He’d been promising to do that and loves those ground conditions.

“His form from Roscommon had worked out earlier this week and Chris thought he didn’t get home the last day over a mile and a quarter.”

The horse is declared again tomorrow and Keane added; “If the ground comes his way he’ll probably have to take his chance. It’s few and far between when he gets his conditions and it’s all right for him.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee