French Company got the better of a prolonged dual with Storm Steps to take the closing Irish Injured Jockeys Handicap at Fairyhouse.

Always to the fore under Colin Keane, the Jimmy Coogan trained four-year-old chased leader Storm Steps in the early stages.

Mikey Sheehy kicked on aboard the runner-up early in the straight and for a time it looked as though he wasn't for passing.

However, to the credit of both horse and rider, French Company eventually got the better of his rival to win snugly at the finish.

Jimmy Coogan said:- “I fancied him today and I'm happy enough with that.

“There is a race picked out in Galway in three weeks time so that's where we'll go next and we'll keep the fingers crossed.

“He's as hard as iron. He's a pleasure to train and takes no work at all.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson