Keke
Keke was impressive in winning the Rockingham Handicap at The Curragh on Sunday, and he can be marked up at least a little on the bare form of the run. Drawn in stall one on the far side, he was one of just three horses who raced out in the centre of the track as the main body of the field raced close to the stands side. Keke got a lead from Little Queenie and Moral Turpitude out in the centre, but they could only take him so far. He had to leave the two fillies behind just inside the two-furlong marker, at which point he had a couple of lengths to make up on the leaders on the stands side. But he made them up all right, he hit the front overall.. Eighth passing the two-furlong pole, he was still only third with a furlong to run, but he showed a lot of pace through the closing stages and he won by a length.
Eddie Lynam's horse was seriously progressive last season, he won four sprint handicaps, his season culminating in victory in the Joe McGrath Handicap at The Curragh on Irish Champions' Weekend off a mark of 84. He was racing off a mark of 93 on Sunday, and a 6lb hike takes him up to 99, but that may still under-rate his rate of progression. This was a first Rockingham for Eddie Lynam, a trainer who excels with sprinters. He has won some of the sprints on the calendar, including the Flying Five in 2021 with Romantic Proposal, who started off by winning handicaps off marks of 71 and 83. It could be worthwhile following Keke now too as he steps up in grade.
The Curragh, 29th June 2025
Back