Colin Keane closing on 100 winners for third time

Ahead of the flat action at Naas tomorrow where he has seven rides, Trim jockey and 2017 champion Colin Keane is only two winners away from a century for the third time in four years.

The first 100-winner season was in 2017 when he sealed the title at the Kildare track on 100 winners for the season ahead of the former champion, the late Pat Smullen.

Last year Keane had 103 winners, but that was only good enough for runner-up position, he was second to Donnacha O'Brien in 2018 and 2019.

Tomorrow at Naas he will start the day seven (98-91) ahead of title rival Shane Foley who was sixth in 2017, fourth in 2018 and third in 2019.

Foley had a substantial lead on the Trim man in September, but it was gradually whittled down and at Fairyhouse at the beginning of October it was on the Ger Lyons-trained Avarice that Keane drew level on 72 winners each.

Keane brought up winner 98 last night in the opener at Dundalk when he was on the mark for boss Ger Lyons with Anjalawi in a thrilling finish to a five- furlong maiden.

With the flat season officially due to finish at Naas next Saturday (7th November) the destination of the title will be determined before that as both Keane and Foley will be in action at the Breeders’ Cup next weekend.