Colin Keane is keeping the apprentice title race alive with a determined challenge in recent weeks, and the gap to leader Connor King is now down to five (37-32) after successfully partnering Cristal Fashion in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden.

Keane gave the Ger Lyons-trained filly, who was all the rage this morning backed down from 12/1 and sent off just a 9/2 sot, a very positive ride in this mile event to go past front-runner Myamo early in the straight.

She kept on really well under pressure to beat the Jim Bolger-trained pair Intense Debate (7/1) and Intense Light (5/2 jt fav) by three lengths and four and a half lengths.

The other joint favourite Westpieser was fourth.

Shane Lyons said, “I’m delighted for Jim McDonald the owner/breeder. He absolutely adores her and when she came into us last January she had a coat like it was the summer. He does his horses really well.

“There are no races for her the rest of this season. We took a chance with the ground but she handled it well. She is by Jeremy and will want a mile at least next season. We always liked her but she was just a bit weak and whatever she’s done is a massive bonus as she will strengthen up over the winter.

“That’s another winner for Colin. It gets him a little closer but it’s going to be tough.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson