Billy Lee the man to follow at Sligo
Billy Lee was top jockey at this year's Galway festival with seven winners. Pic: Healy Racing Photo
On the back of a brilliant Galway festival where he was crowned top jockey with seven wins across the week, Billy Lee looks the man to follow at Sligo on Wednesday.
Lee is booked for five rides across the seven-race card and all five mounts have decent claims for a man looking to become champion jockey for the first time.
Taj Crown can get the ball rolling for Lee by taking the opening contest, the Carlsberg Optional Claiming Race.
Runner-up in three of her seven career starts, the Ken Condon-trained filly went closer than ever when going down by a head at Ballinrobe last month. This might be the day she finally gets her had in front.
Next up for Lee is the in-form Spanish Temptress who looks sure to go close in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks Fillies & Mares Handicap.
Victorious at Limerick in June, the Richard O’Brien-trained four-year-old ran another fine race when second to Saga Gaga at Killarney last month and ought to put up another bold bid here.
The John Gilligan Memorial Nursery Handicap looks a tricky puzzle but Hi Corbett Court, who Lee rides for Paddy Twomey, may be able to make it fourth time lucky.
Third on debut at Navan in May, the Starman colt took a step backwards when 11th of 12 at the Curragh second time out before finishing fifth of eight in Cork last month.
All four of the horses who finished in front of him at Mallow were previous winners so the form looks solid and Hi Corbett Court should be in the mix.
Lee rides Chicago Moon for Henry de Bromhead in the Guinness Handicap and a 9lb rise for last month’s Killarney success might not be enough to stop her from following up.
Dubai Opulence is perhaps the least likely winner of Lee’s five rides but the Natalia Lupini-trained Far Above gelding, who ran a decent race when sixth of 19 in a Cork handicap last month, ought not be far away.
Preference however is for the Patrick Magee-trained Glen Breeze, a good winner at Limerick last month before finishing sixth at Gowran Park last time out. He may be able to get back to winning ways here.
5.30 Taj Crown
6.00 Spanish Temptress (Nap)
6.30 Lady Patrona
7.00 Hi Corbett Court
7.30 Glen Breeze
8.00 Chicago Moon (NB)
8.30 Deluca Chop
5.30 Timandi
6.00 Thatwilldoso
6.30 The Green Helmet
7.00 Mr Montauk
7.30 Dubai Opulence
8.00 Mare Crisium
8.30 Without Love
