Relentless progress from Keane and Lyons

It's probably just a case of 'nails in the coffin' at this stage as Colin Keane approaches the century mark for the campaign. He moved eight ahead of Pat Smullen (95 - 87) as Overcoming brought him ever closer to being champion jockey with his win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden (Plus 10 Race) at Dundalk.

There was the height of confidence behind the likes of Vivanite (Pat Smullen's mount, finished 5th) and Aishling's Secret (7th) but up front on start two Overcoming got the better of Loving A Boom by half a length.

Ger Lyons, such a huge part of the Keane success story, trains Overcoming for the China Horse Club International Ltd.

"Patience has paid off with him. We ran him a few months ago but he was colty. We ran him to kind of teach him his job and he was just weak, and got a little upset at the start," said Shane Lyons.

"We took our time with him and if Colin wasn't going for the championship we might not have run him as we do like him.

"It was only in the last month that he started telling us that he had strengthened up and was really appreciating the little bit of time we gave him.

"There was plenty of talk for a couple of horses in this race and it scared us a little bit but we actually thought this lad would run well tonight and that it would take a good one to beat him.

"The horse that finished second is a nice horse and finished third behind a nice one of ours (McMunigal) so that was a nice line and he's after franking that.

"He wants a trip and we're really looking forward to this lad. Thanks to China Horse Club and Mick Flanagan for keeping the faith.

"We're going to treat him with a bit of respect as it was always next year with this lad. That's it now, he's done his job for Colin, he'll have a nice rest.

"He's a handy horse and it won't take a lot to get him going again. He'll have a break now and we'll see how he is after Christmas."

The Stewards fined G.M.Lyons, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Overcoming, the winner of this race, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.

G.P. Halpin, rider of Zwack (GB) trained by Adrian Murray, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got worked up in the stalls.

P.B. Beggy, rider of Foreign Secretary (GB) trained by A.P.O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran very green.

(GC & EM)