Colin Keane draws level in jockeys' championship with 28-1 surprise winner

Monday: Galway

The Irish Flat jockeys' championship couldn't be any closer as it enters its final week, with Colin Keane drawing level with Billy Lee after winning on 28-1 outsider Paris Secret.

Keane, who is bidding for his fourth jockeys' title, claimed his 89th victory of the season on the Andy Oliver-trained Paris Secret, who was making her debut in the fillies' maiden.

The two-year-old's narrow victory was the sole win of the day for either championship contender. The closest Lee got to a winner was on Racing Royalty, who finished second in the 7f maiden behind Vocal Studies and Kevin Manning, who announced his retirement following the win.

"It was a nice surprise," Keane told Racing TV. "She's a nice filly and a good-looking individual. She went to post very professionally and did everything nicely.

"When she met the rising ground and got the hang of it she picked up well. She could be a lovely filly going up to a mile and a quarter next year."

Keane was shortened to a general 1-4 chance with bookmakers to take his third consecutive jockeys' title. Lee's hopes largely rest on the outcome of an appeal against a whip ban, and unless it is lifted on Wednesday he looks set to miss the last two meetings of the season.

Chally in command

Chally Chute completed his hat-trick in style when cruising to victory in the feature 1m4f handicap under Ronan Whelan at Galway's final meeting of the year.

The four-year-old relished his first start in heavy going, justifying joint-favouritism with a five-length victory over Molly's Gamble for trainer Mick Halford.

Results, replays and analysis

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