Keane hits the right Note on Harmonic

Harmonic Note returned to form with a vengeance when making all for a very convincing win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies & Mares Race.

A change of tactics by Colin Keane on the daughter of Nayef worked a treat as the talented young rider judged things to perfection from the front.

He wound the pace up early in the straight to assert a furlong out, and the Ger Lyons-trained 9/2 chance stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to beat the 1/2 favourite Tobann by three and a half lengths. New Magic was nearly three lengths further back in third.

Lyons said, “She’s always worked like a very good horse. She has her black type and is going to go to the mares’ sale in December. She probably lost her way a bit during the turf season, and I had this in mind to bring her back where she won last year.

“I genuinely thought she’d win tonight, and we put Colin up to take the 3lb off and give her every chance. It would be nice to see if we can get Colin a bit closer in the apprentice title as he’s an exceptionally good kid.”

Keane is now seven behind Connor King (36-29) in the apprentice championship.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson