BILLY Lee stole the show at Limerick, riding a treble that was completed by Lovemenot in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

The Willie McCreery-trained 5/4 favourite wasn't winning out of turn, having made the frame on her previous two starts, but it wasn't as plain sailing as appeared likely when she hit the front inside the final quarter-mile.

Pearl Of The West and the newcomer Alaykha ate into Lovemenot's lead in the closing stages but the line came in time, and she held on by a short-head from Pearl Of The West, who was then demoted to third in the stewards' room.

McCreery said: "She deserved that and is still learning. It was a great first run, a good second run and Teofilos love that surface today. The trip wasn't any inconvenience and Billy is riding great this evening.

"She quickened away a length but Billy said she was still very green in front. She is going the right way and I've nothing in mind now but will let her strengthen up some more."

EXPERIENCE

Amenette hadn't shown a massive amount in three outings heading into the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden but her experience helped her register a determined three-quarter-length defeat of Navajo Dreamer.

Lee said of the 12/1 winner: "She hadn't bad form coming into it, if you took out her last run, and Joseph (O'Brien) was happy enough coming in. He said she'd love the ground and that's the main factor for her disappointing run the last day.

"I got a lovely position, she travelled well and quickened up well and kept going well to the line. Hopefully there's more to come from her when she steps into handicap company and maybe get blacktype – who knows."

Lee's three-timer was started by Alans Pride, who was a warm order for the Book Online At www.limerickraces.ie Claiming Race and those who took the 11/8 never really had a moment's worry as he strolled three and three-quarter lengths clear of Guanabara Bay.

LEONARD DOUBLE

Branch Line got the best of a three-way tussle for the Croom House Stud Rated Race.

Music Box cut out the running and when tackled by Ma Fee Heela, boxed on well. However, Killian Leonard got a split between them on the Andy Slattery-trained Branch Line and the 4/1 shot quickened through it to beat Ma Fee Heela by a length.

Slattery said: "We gelded him last November but he fell asunder on us and is only now after strengthening up quite a bit.

"I think he'll be very good next year – I think he'll be a group horse then. I'll give him an entry in the mile handicap at Galway next."

Leonard followed-up when Avalanche landed the Ballyduane Stud Handicap in a photo-finish. Up 4lb for last weekend's Cork victory, the 13/2 shot wore down favourite Old Time Waltz in the dying strides to gain the spoils by a head.

Konig Hall (12/1) won the Grant Thornton Apprentice Handicap, while St Lawrence Gap (3/1) was too good for his Limerick Racecourse Family Fun Day 9th July Handicap rivals.

READ THE FULL LIMERICK REPORT IN NEXT WEEK'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD