Keane drives Lizzy's Filly home for Martin

Colin Keane was an eye-catching booking for the returning Lizzy's Filly at Ballinrobe and the pair teamed up to bag a victory.

She hadn't been out since running second in a Flat maiden at Dundalk in December for Ciaran Murphy, but looked very fit in the parade ring and went off 6/4 favourite to oblige on her first start for trainer Pat Martin.

The four-year-old filly had the leaders in striking range in fourth on the run to the straight and came through to challenge a furlong down. Expound gave her a target to aim at and Keane got her home in the closing stages under hands and heels.

The 'jolly' came in by half a length from the 5/1 runner-up. Banned (11/4) was another length and three-parts back in third.

Martin said: “I have her about two months. The owner (Oliver Toner) said to me he was going to be down here for this meeting and would we be able to get her ready and I thought 'no', but I said we’d try.

“She did her first bit of work about a fortnight ago and it was nice and I said we have a chance. Everything has been good since that.

“She was a little bit undercooked tonight, but I felt she was really well of herself and that might be the best way to have her. She’s quite hot.

“She’s honest and tries hard but can worry herself out of it.

“He gave her a wonderful ride. I was a bit concerned where we were drawn (wide), that we’d have to use up a lot of petrol to get a position but he slotted in really nicely.

“This is the second winner we’ve had for this man and she’s named after his wife Liz.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee