Keane shows composure to win Listed race on Mutasarref

Champion jockey Colin Keane showed plenty of composure aboard race favourite Mutasarref having to wait for the gap to open before quickening up smartly to win the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes at Naas.

Sitting third of the quintet of runners for the early part of the race, Keane was content to hug the rail as Shane Foley cut out the running on Quar Shamar with Ronan Whelan sitting second on Genesis

Turning into the straight, Foley began to get lower in the saddle, as Whelan was also working away on the outsider of the field.

With Keane caught in a pocket for a few strides, Luke McAteer arrived down the outside on Special Wan going a length in front over a furlong from home.

However, perhaps mindful of what he had left under him, Keane never panicked on the favourite, allowing the six-year-old time to switch off the rail before going in pursuit of the leader.

Once getting upsides over 100 yards out, Mutasarref produced a telling burst of speed to go on to claim the victory by three-quarters-of-a-length.

Ger Lyons said: “It was on Colin’s recommendation that he was purchased, and Eleanora was put into him and he’s been lucky ever since.

“The more trouble he gets into in a race the more he seems to like it. He came back from an injury and as Colin said he’s back to himself.

“That’s his grade and seven furlongs. A mile is just a tad beyond him.

“He’s like Power Under Me. This fella handles this ground and Power doesn’t but they are the same type of horse.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.