BILLY Lee’s fine season continued at Navan on Monday when the Tipperary-man posted a double at the replacement meeting. Lee struck early on the card and the David Wachman-trained Know initiated his brace in the opening fillies’ maiden over the extended five furlongs.

The well-backed 10/3 co-favourite (5/1 in morning) was produced to lead a furlong from home but was all out at the line to hold the late lunge of Somebodytoldme by a head. “She had plenty of form in the book. She had been running mostly over the minimum trip. It was only half a furlong more but it feels like six,” said the winning rider afterwards. “She travelled a little bit better and I probably got to the front a bit soon. The ground is on the slow side.”

Lee was back in the winner’s enclosure two races later as 8/1 shot Mr Moondance ran out a cosy winner of the Kilberry Handicap over a mile.

Tim Doyle’s charge was last in the early stages but made up good ground going to the two-furlong pole and got on top inside the final furlong to beat 9/2 favourite Jackie Ellis by two and a half lengths.

“He did it nicely. I thought he would have won a race before now. He’s always had ability,” said Doyle. “He showed promise as a two-year-old, before last year passed him by. He’s a big horse and he needed time.

“We put the hood on him in Tipperary and it was a big help today. Billy says he’s getting stronger and improving. He likes an ease. We’ll go for something similar on that ground and then Dundalk. He could go back over hurdles at Christmas time but he’ll have a flat race or two before then.

“It’s a good day as he’s owned by my wife Claire.”

FAMILY WINNER

There was another family winner as Ibergman claimed the fillies’ handicap over a mile for the Laverys. The daughter of Big Bad Bob was produced to lead inside the final furlong, by Ronan Whelan, and then had to hold the challenge of Cailin Mor close home for a neck victory.

Sheila Lavery trains the winner for her brother John and said afterwards: “She was a bit unbalanced coming down the hill but really picked up on the rising ground. I was very hopeful going into the race. I was really pleased to see the rain yesterday.

“She kind of needs a rider that knows her as she dropped herself out. I do think she needs an ease in the ground. She rolls around a bit. I’ll maybe look for somewhere not so downhill.

“She’s in the mares’ sales at the end of November and I’d love to pick up something before that.”

Colin Keane got the better of his father Gerry in the Flower Hill Handicap when Ningxai proved too strong for The Fox Tully inside the final furlong. The Ger Lyons-trained Ningxai recorded a half-length success at odds of 6/1.

Shane Lyons was representing his brother and he said: “Colin gave him a super ride, a very patient ride from a bad draw. He’s a very genuine horse and loves a cut in the ground. I’m delighted for that fellow as he was unlucky in Gowran. He’s in the horses in training sales.” Owner David Spratt, who also has the useful Piri Wango with the yard, is from Cork.

TARGET

Munshid could have the Birdcatcher Nursery as his target after returning from a break to claim the colts and geldings maiden over the extended five furlongs. Al Mohalhal made a bold bid from the front but had to give way in the closing stages as Kevin Prendergast’s charge got up for a head success under Chris Hayes.

“If he is reasonably treated he might run in the Birdcatcher, otherwise he’ll be done for the year,” said Prendergast of the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned gelding. “He travelled very well and we are hoping he will be a nice horse for next year. The firmer the ground the better. He has improved an awful lot. On his first run he was five lengths off a horse of Aidan O’Brien’s (Air Force Blue) who is favourite for the Guineas. He was entitled to win a Navan maiden.”

Michael Halford is also hoping Golden Raven has a future ahead of him after he landed the three-year-old and older maiden over a mile.

Shane Foley got a good tune out of the Godolphin gelding inside the final furlong to record a length-and-a-quarter victory over McGuigan.

The well-backed 11/10 favourite (from 5/2 in morning) was turning around form with the runner-up, having been fifth behind that rival when he had also been second at the course earlier in the month.“He’s a big baby really. Shane said he got a bit unbalanced but once he met the rising ground he was always getting there,” said Halford. “He’ll get further when he gets stronger. He’s a horse that’ll get a mile and a quarter. He’s a fine big horse.

There was another well-backed winner in the finale as The Nutcracker landed a touch for Tom Gibney in the second division of the Simonstown Handicap.

Seamie Heffernan gave the mare a confident ride as she swooped inside the final furlong for a four-and-a-half length success. The five-year-old had shown good form over timber this year and attracted support from 13/2 into 10/3 favourite on her return to the level.

“We knew she was thrown in on her hurdles form but she is well named! It was her first run back on the flat and Andrew Lynch has done a great job settling her,” said Gibney. “I’m delighted to get that, it opens up her options. She’s versatile and the ground is no bother to her. I couldn’t believe how well she handled Listowel.”

JUMPS FUTURE

Willie McCreery is looking to a future over jumps with Elm Grove after she landed the first division of the 10-furlong handicap.

Leigh Roche switched to the rail after finding himself short of room and the 14/1 shot hit the front a furlong out. She held the late challenge of Byron Beauty by three-quarters of a length.

“Job done! I was very disappointed with her in a mile and five race at Down Royal but Leigh was very strong on her there,” said McCreery. “She jumps a hurdle great and it was always the plan to go hurdling and try and win one on the flat.”