Keane puts the ball into Smullen's court

It's 76 now for Keane, 73 for Smullen, in the race to be Irish champion jockey for 2017. Colin Keane won't forget the evening of Friday September 29th in a hurry if he manages to dethrone the outstanding champ, as he weighed in with no less than an 84/1 treble.

The Meath man won the 6.00 and 7.30 for his boss Ger Lyons. My Mystique and Reckless Endeavour did the needful in those two events.

In the concluding Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship 2017 Handicap Tom McCourt sent out a one, two, Keane on Ben Rumson leading home stable companion Crown Pleasure (Danny Sheehy).

"It's not a surprise and I thought both of them had a chance. Ben Rumson is very well treated compared to grass, and we'll tip away with the two of them here over the winter. He needs top of the ground over hurdles," said McCourt.

R.P. Whelan, rider of Sixtyfiveroses trained by J.F. Levins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost its action and was eased.

(AM & EM)