Laughifuwant strikes for the Keanes

The front-running Spanish Tenor and Laughifuwant who tracked the leader after breaking very smartly, occupied the first two places throughout the Rockshore Refreshingly Irish Handicap and it was the latter who came out on top for Gerry and Colin Keane.

The eight-year-old, winless since landing the 2020 Irish Cambridgeshire of a mark of 100, went in pursuit of the leader up the hill and led inside the final 100 yards to win by a length.

Racing off 80 today, the winner had finished mid-division here on Tuesday.

Winning trainer Gerry Keane said: "The draw the last day didn't help and while it didn't look as bad as it was, he was pushed wide and couldn't get in. He was already declared to run today and when Colin got off him he said to take our chance if rain came and Eva (Forde) was happy to run.

"We weren't over-confident with the ground as he wants it soft but he is an eight-year-old now and we won't mollycoddle him too much.

"He won the Ahonoora in 2019, the Cambridgeshire in 2020 and was rated 106 at one stage. He was a black-type horse and had been dining at the top table but is down in grade now. It worked out today thank God!"

Colin Keane told RTE: "It's make it that bit sweeter riding one for the oul man. 

"He was drawn 19 of 19 over seven (furlongs) the other day and I wasn't getting into it from a long way out, and we knew we had him in later in the week so we looked after him.

"We were hoping more rain would come, he's very effective on slow ground, but he loves it around here and it all went to plan today.

"He's after dropping a lot in the weights, he was a premier handicap slash Listed horse once upon a time, and horses for courses, he loves it around here."

Quotes from Tom Weekes