Leadership Race wins for Colin Keane© Photo Healy Racing
Stuck in the mud when last on handicap debut at Fairyhouse, Leadership Race (9/1, from 11s on course) was a different proposition on the polytrack as he took the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Nursery to complete a quick double for Colin Keane.
He settled nicely in rear, and came with a steady run towards the far side in the straight to lead inside the final furlong.
At the line he was a length and a quarter and half a length to the good over Spirit Of Sahara (7/1) and Gunmetal Jack (7/1).
The 3/1 favourite Believe In Beauty finished in sixth place
A half-brother to four winners including Group Three winner The Cheka, the winner is a gelded son of smart Australian sprinter Brazen Beau, runner-up in the 2015 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
“That last day just wasn't him. He's by an Australian horse in Brazen Beau and the ground turned heavy on the day so we drew a line through it,” said winning trainer Ger Lyons.
“We needed to see him up here and if he didn't perform tonight he was going to the sales. He's performed so we will keep him.
“There should be another nursery in him but he should be better at three. He's still a work in progress.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
