Keane 'at his best' as Beauty battles back

Beauty Crescent (10/11f) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, as he made the breakthrough in the opener at Navan, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Second and third on his first two starts, the Ger Lyons trained bay was gelded since his most recent effort and was fitted with blinkers for the first time today.

Soon in a share of the lead with market rival Congo River the winning son of Acclamation looked in trouble when headed from the two-furlong pole.

Switched to the outer with over a furlong to race, he rallied gamely when ridden and regained the lead inside the final 50 yards, coming home a neck to the good under Colin Keane.

.Congo River (3/1) who wandered inside the final furlong had to settle for second under Seamie Heffernan for Aidan O'Brien, with Not Just Yet all of 12-lengths back in third.

"That was Colin at his best," Lyons said.

"I debated leaving the blinkers off because he ran keen to post at the Curragh. Colin did the right thing down at the start on the day - he pulled him out to think of another day.

"His future is in Hong Kong and they have pulled 12 lengths clear so it was a good performance by the front two.

"I can only imagine once I speak to Mr Kwok (of Beauty Stable) that we'll put him into quarantine and send him on to Hong Kong. I'd say that's what the plan will be long term."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee