Mullins' juvenile provides Lee with another double

After a brace at the Curragh yesterday, Billy Lee recorded his second double in two days as Morning Soldier sprang a surprise in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Sent off 33/1 (from 66s) after finishing ninth on debut at Naas earlier in the month, Morning Soldier put up a very professional performance. The gelded son of The Gurkha tracked the front-running I Am Joking before being ridden to lead a furlong and a half from home.

The 4/6 favourite Trent threw down his challenge in the final furlong but the winner pulled out a little bit more to hold that one by three quarters of a length.

After winning on Zahee earlier, Lee’s double paid out at 220/1.

Winning trainer Tom Mullins said: “It was a good step forward and he obviously learned a bit in Naas, we did think a bit of him and were hoping for a better run first time.

“I'd say he likes the better surface here and the step up in trip, he will get a mile as well. He stuck it out well there as he was on his own for a long time.

“I'd be impressed enough. He was an Orby sale horse and has the pedigree as well. I'm not surprised, on the book, that he would win a little race like that. He's there for sale so we'll see what happens.”

Quotes from Gary Carson