Keane eye in focus

THE Irish Examiner’s top racing correspondent, Pat Keane, was the bane of the bookmakers once more as he advised four winners from seven selections on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

After having no luck with his picks for the first two races of the day, he struck form with a vengeance as Stewart Family Spinal Research Chase winner Bensalem (7-1) was followed by victory for his NAP selection, Hurricane Fly (11-4), in the Champion Hurdle.

Success for Henry de Bromhead’s Sizing Australia (13-2) in the Cross Country Chase racked up a hat-trick, and the four-timer was complete when next best (n.b.) selection Quevega (5-6) trounced the opposition in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.