Barretstown completes 33/1 double for Lee

Barretstown completed a 33/1 double for Billy Lee, as he just got the better of Koniag in the first divide of the Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Handicap.

Successful over the course and distance in February of last year, the Conor O'Dwyer-trained bay was again triumphant at Cork in May.

Second when last seen at Down Royal in September, the Red Jazz six-year-old was sent off a 15/2 chance for this mile and a quarter contest.

Settled in second, the Hugo and Anne Kane-owned victor improved to lead from the two furlong pole, but was soon ridden and strongly pressed.

Almost joined inside the final furlong, he kept finding for pressure, just holding off the effort of the aforementioned Koniag (5/1) by a nose.

There was just half a length back to Gallo Dell Cielo (11/1), who edged right when ridden inside the final furlong, while 7/4 favourite Gardone was a never nearer fourth after running short of room in the straight.

"He's so reliable, in fairness to him. If he runs badly, there is something wrong with him - it is as simple as that!" O'Dwyer remarked.

"Billy knows him so, so well and he is so good on him. From a bad draw, he is so quick out of the stalls and just gets himself into that position. Then Billy does the rest.

"It is all you want (a trier). He is no star, but he has won four. Billy won on him in Cork and was amazing on him and was brilliant on him there. It makes it easier.

"He's a clever enough little fella and I'd say if we were coming up every second week, he would be saying hang on a second!

"We might come up one more maybe before Christmas and then a break, and then once maybe February time and back to the grass. He just loves being fresh, he loves his couple of weeks off.

"They are the most enthusiastic owners I've known. Hugo (Kane) would drive to the ends of the earth - even if you said we are going to Killarney, but he has no chance, he would say 'I'll be there'.

"They appreciate the winning days and they appreciate how hard it is to get them."

Billy Lee, who was registering his 101st winner of the calendar year, was earlier successful on Pat Flynn's Shaaden

STEWARDS REPORT

At the request of the Raceday Stewards, C.T. Keane, rider of Tastyee trained by David Kenneth Budds, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount could not lie up early on and stopped quickly in the home straight.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham