Independence Day impresses under Lee

Independence Day ran out an impressive winner of the Rainbow Communications Maiden, scoring under Billy Lee for David Wachman.

The son of Dansili was a decent fourth to subsequent Coventry Stakes runner-up Air Force Blue on his debut at the Curragh last month while the second and third (Rockaway Valley and Tonkinese) have both won since.

Sent off the 4/5 favourite today he made all and was ridden clear from a furlong out, going on to score easily by five lengths. Reckless Endeavour (9/4) finished second under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons while Anania (50/1) was two and three parts of a length back in third under Emmet McNamara for Andrew Heffernan.

Billy Lee said afterwards: "His form from his first race has worked out extremely well. We thought he was a pure five furlong horse, he has lots of speed.

"Once I gave him a kick in the belly turning in he took off. I think he could be Group class over five furlongs."

The winner holds entries in both the Group 2 Railway Stakes and the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham