BILLY Lee continued to set a strong pace at the head of the jockeys’ title race, when partnering a treble at Punchestown on Tuesday.
The Limerick man was quick off the mark when scoring on The Good Wife, for Paddy Twomey in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. He was soon in front on the Zarak filly and the 2/1 shot kept on gamely in the closing stages to hold Silver Kiss by a head.
“She was drawn in one and I said to Billy ‘don’t waste the draw, she doesn’t know loads, but she knows enough’,” said Twomey. “She has a bit of size and scope and I think she’ll stay. I just told the owners that I wouldn’t be fussed about running her again this year, you’d have a nice filly for an Oaks trial next spring.”
Follow the leader
Lee’s winners came for three different trainers and Ross O’Sullivan supplied number two, with Follow Me in the mile handicap. The 13/2 shot was prominent throughout and kicked on over two furlongs from home for a cosy two-and-three-quarter-length success.
“I’m delighted, it’s a long time in the making,” said O’Sullivan. “He’s a horse that looked like a star as a three-year-old, but he just lost his form.
“He’s found a new lease of life this year and is a happier horse. I’m delighted for Amanda (Torrens), who kept the faith and is a great owner in the yard.”
Haul complete
Lee completed his haul when Sanctijude landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap for Willie McCreery.
The 9/2 shot swept into the lead passing the furlong pole to beat Neo Smart by half a length in the nine-furlong contest.
“The race worked out perfectly for her. They went a good pace early on and Billy was able to sit on her,” said McCreery.
“I said to Michael Deegan, who owns her, half way round that we’d find out now whether she wants the mile-and-one or not, as they went a good gallop from the start. It seemed to suit her.”
COLIN Keane grabbed one back in the title race when Back Straight took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden over the same trip.
The well-supported 30/100 favourite led after a couple of furlongs and always looked in control late on, as he posted a length-and-three-quarters win over Saliba. Back Straight had been second on his debut on the same card 12 months ago and trainer Michael O’Callaghan said: “I wasn’t expecting to wait this long for him, but he’s a big raw horse and he’s taken a long time to come to hand this year.
“I’d imagine he’s going to come on for the run, Colin said he took a blow going through the line. We’ll see what mark the handicapper gives him.”
Believe brings a brace
O’Callaghan was on the mark again in the finale, as Believe Believe also opened his account in the second division of the 0-60 handicap.
Jamie Powell was in the plate and delivered the 5/1 shot with a late charge to beat Tero D’rosa by half a length.
“It’s been a great day, it’s a lucky place for us and I wish there was racing here more often!” said O’Callaghan.
“He deserved to win a race like that. He hurt himself the last day, when he was second (in Gowran Park). That’s why he’s had a bit of a break. He handles a bit of juice in it and he stays well, I’d say he could jump a hurdle in time.”
Rutledge right on time
In the first division of that race, Siobhan Rutledge came in for plenty of praise after guiding Chloe’s Boy to success for Harry Rogers.
The 16/1 shot knuckled down well late on to get the better of Duchess Anne by a neck in a driving finish.
“In fairness, she gave him a good ride,” said Rogers. “I thought coming here if there was a little ease in the ground it would suit him.
“I’m delighted for the two boys that are in him as well (Derek Flanagan and Derek Tighe). It’s the first time they’ve been in a horse.”
THE Aidan O’Brien-trained Noble Exhibit put himself in line for some nice stakes races with an impressive display in the mile maiden on the card.
The Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Westerberg-owned colt was to the fore throughout and the 11/4 shot kicked clear over a furlong from home, under Wayne Lordan, to record an easy seven-length success.
Stable representative, Chris Armstrong said afterwards: “He obviously had a lovely run the first day (when third to Monogram) at the Curragh and the form of that is working out well.
“When he jumped and got the lead, it was a nice advantage to have, but in fairness once he asked him he really stretched out to the line. He’ll go for one of the mile group races or he could even stretch a bit further.”
Going for Gold
The Joseph O’Brien-trained Golden Splendour also looks likely to be stepping into better company after making a winning Irish debut in the nine-furlong conditions race.
Joey Sheridan dropped his mount out early on before coming with a late charge to grab Minella Rocket for a neck success.
Stable representative, Michael Halford said of the 7/2 winner: “It was probably a little bit of a surprise, because we didn’t know an awful lot about her really.
“It’s lovely to win and ‘Shaggy’ (Kieran Leavy) is a good supporter, he always has an interest in a horse with Joseph. I’m delighted for him.”
Noble Exhibit \ Healy Racing