McLoughlin keeps title-leader Keane happy

For the third time at Dundalk tonight, title-chasing rivals Colin Keane and Pat Smullen fought out the finish with Keane prevailing on Commander Won

This was a double on the card for Keane who won the opener on The Kid Bobby B

Commannder Won looked to have plenty on his plate as he led over two furlongs out in Division One of the mile and a half handicap.

Keane kicked him on a furlong and a half out and the five-year-old gelding kept finding as he took a couple of lengths out of Smullen's mount British Art

Try as British Art did, he couldn't close on the leader who saw him off by two lengths at 5/2.

British Art went off the 9/4 jolly. Glimmer Of Hope picked up a place dividend in third at 33/1, beaten three and three quarter lengths by the winner.

Winning trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: "He said when he gave him a slap he curled up a bit but he said he has plenty of stamina and stays well, keeps galloping and that's really what he does.

“He was here last year, and was unlucky a few times, and we'll keep him going over the winter.

“We won't run him too often, as he runs well fresh, and we'll look for something in a few weeks time.

“Any day that man (Colin Keane) rings looking for the ride sure you have to keep him happy, he's riding well.”

This was Keane's 79th winner of the campaign and he moved five ahead of Smullen (74).

Additional reporting by Gary Carson