Keane maintains lead of 3

Colin Keane won the concluding race at Dundalk to leave things as you were in the battle to be champion jockey. He's still three ahead of Pat Smullen after his mount Ben Rumson justified favouritism in the second split of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap.

Smullen struck in the curtain-raiser on Andesh for Michal Halford but Keane hit back as Tom McCourt's Ben Rumson followed up on his course win from a fortnight back.

Back to an extended mile and a quarter, from the twelve furlong trip over which he'd scored recently, the 5/4 market-leader had enough 'toe' to get the better of Smullen's mount, Jock Talk by half a length.

McCourt said afterwards: "He's a great fun horse and was always doing enough. He's a funny character and holds his head very high. Colin suits him, and if he went for the stick he may not do a whole lot.

"Hopefully we'll get another day out of him. Sean (Foran, owner) has been a great supporter and has been with me about 25 years."

C.D. Hayes, rider of Cascar Cavcha trained by H.Rogers, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran keen during this race.

(AM & EM)