Lee draws level in title battle

Bill Lee drew level with Colin Keane at the head of this season's fascinating Jockeys Championship today, steering 11/8 favourite Betterdaysrcoming to win Naas' Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden for trainer Andy Oliver.

Muhaarar-sired Betterdaysrcoming threw away a winning opportunity when shying at a road crossing at Bellewstown last month and today responded well to Lee's strong, heels-down drive, beating Encosta by a length and a half.

Lee and dual champion Keane traded blows with 42 winners apiece during June, July and August and are currently level at 76-76, with the battle royal likely to continue until season's end, at today's venue, on November 6.

Winning trainer Oliver said “in Bellewstown he (Betterdaysrcoming) jumped the road and ducked at things so we wanted a nice big honest track and Billy knows him now. It looks like he wants every yard of a mile. I

“He jumped and travelled, won it snugly enough and seems very versatile ground wise.

“He's in the auction race final here next month, I stuck him in yesterday, and I wouldn't discount stepping him up into stakes company. We'll see what is left — there is the Eyrefield Stakes and a couple of other options.”

He added “his companion is in the Beresford next week, a horse that hasn't run yet. It's something I would consider, I know it's big talk, but it does seem that he wants the mile now.

“He's a horse that we'll look forward to, he's growing, maturing and strengthening. He's copping on to things which is a good start.”

Quotes from Gary Carson