'Getting to ride for these people is amazing' - Colin Keane lands first winner for Juddmonte since taking top role

Colin Keane is taking his opportunity with both hands after registering his first winner for Juddmonte since becoming the operation’s retained rider.

Keane, who last year was crowned Irish champion jockey for the sixth time, landed his new role on Monday and wasted no time settling in as he steered Blue Bolt to victory for Andrew Balding in the feature mile fillies' novice.

It was a flying visit for Keane, who heads to Cork, Sandown and Chantilly for a number of rides before the week concludes.

Keane said: "We’ve had a busy first week of it, so I’ve been over and back a good bit between Ireland and England, and I’m in France at the weekend. 

"It’s something I look forward to. Getting to ride for these people is amazing and you have to take the opportunity when it comes. These colours and the family are iconic in racing and it’s a great chance to have." 

Colin Keane: first winner as Juddmonte's retained riderCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Physics lesson

Paul and Oliver Cole have another exciting prospect in their ranks after Twisting Physics made it two wins from four starts in the 7f handicap.

The four-year-old is entered for the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot next week, but Oliver Cole is eyeing the Glorious Goodwood meeting later in the summer.

Cole said: "He ran very well and probably needs to be stepped up to a mile. He ground it out and we’ll probably aim for the Golden Mile at Goodwood before going to the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket."

Fighting Spirit

Clive Cox’s decision to avoid the temptation of Royal Ascot with A Bit Of Spirit paid off with a winning debut in division two of the 6½f novice.

The son of Palace Pier, who was sent off at 28-1, showed plenty of speed to defeat odds-on Godolphin-owned favourite Time To Turn by a head. 

A Bit Of Spirit (far side) makes a winning debut with a head success from Time To TurnCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

It was the Lambourn trainer’s third first-time-out juvenile winner of the season and he was keen to favour his local track over the royal meeting next week.

Cox said: "I’m really pleased because we haven't been using the grass at home as much. It gives him scope to improve more as well, but mentally he wouldn’t have been able to go to Royal Ascot as it would have come too soon.

"We thought he was a seven-furlong horse in the making, but he’s been so quick out of the stalls at home, as he displayed here, and it was a real possibility that he could run well over six and a half furlongs."

Happy family

The husband-and-wife partnership of Archie Watson and Brodie Hampson teamed up to score with Alazwar in the 1m2f amateur jockeys' handicap.

It was a sixth career win for the seven-year-old, who was ridden by Hampson, and Watson praised his consistency.

"He’s a great horse to have," said Watson. "We bought him as an unraced horse from Shadwell many moons ago and he’s just kept producing. He’s Brodie’s favourite and I’m delighted with him.

"These races are hard enough to win. It’s easy if you dip in and out of them, but if you’re trying to target them like we are with a small group, then you need horses who are going to be consistent."

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