Franno (right) holds off Broken Ice© Photo Healy Racing
Champion jockey Colin Keane successfully teamed up with his father Gerry to land division one of the Awards And Gifts Handicap with Franno at Bellewstown.
The four-year-old filly had built up a sequence of four places on her previous five starts but put that right here fitted with a visor for the first time.
The 7/2 chance led early in the straight and held off the final furlong challenge of top-weight Broken Ice by a diminishing neck. Too Bright was a length and three quarters away in third.
Colin Keane said, “She’s been very consistent without winning and has been knocking on the door a good while.
“Joe Doyle usually rides her and he thought the last day it would suit to put a bit of headgear back on her and a rubber bit as she has a sensitive mouth.
“I’d say it’s probably as far as she wants to go and hopefully now that she has got her head in front she might get another one or two.
“She doesn’t do a whole pile wrong in defeat so she deserved it.”
