Keatley off the mark on home soil

Adrian Keatley trained his first winner in Ireland when Zeftan caused a 14/1 surprise in the Macari's Of Kildare Ladies Derby Handicap at the Curragh.

Restricted licence holder Keatley has had winners in Wales and Scotland already, in his fledgling career, and he made a shrewd move here in securing the services of Evanna McCutcheon for the mount on the Bachelor Duke chestnut.

McCutcheon got a good run up the inner on Zeftan and though the pair looked like they might by claimed by Tooreen Legend (Nina Carberry) and Laviniad (Katie Walsh) that's not the way it transpired as the winner got home by a head and three parts of a length.

McCutcheon is of course trainer of Maarek, who had to miss an engagement yesterday, but she's shown her prowess in the saddle now for quite some time and point-to-point followers in particular are well familiar with her ability.

Meanwhile Keatley explained: "That's my first winner in Ireland. I've had winners at Chepstow and Ayr before.

"I got the licence in April and have six in training.

"He's a monkey but today suited him. They went slow and he was weaving in and out and he landed there.

"In Haydock the last day in a small field he managed to finish fourth when on his ability it should have been easy for him.

"Hopefully he can win another couple.

"Evanna gave him a great ride. She's used to riding a Group 1 horse work so it's not surprising that she'd be a good judge of pace." (GC & EM)