Act Of God and Billy Lee (left) beat Autumn Evening © Photo Healy Racing
Two smart hurdlers fought out the finish of the first division of the BetVictor Casino Handicap with the Billy Lee-ridden Act Of God (14/1, from 13/2 this morning) getting the better of Autumn Evening (4/1) by half a length.
The Camelot gelding was patiently-ridden by Lee before making good headway turning for home and led under two furlongs out.
He stayed on well to hold the challenge of the Lartigue Hurdle victor with Fr Ailbe another three and a quarter lengths back in third.
A gamble on Wolf Prince (11/4 into 5/4 fav) came unstuck as he finished a soundly-beaten fourth.
The first two home are rated 131 and 132 respectively over hurdles, with the winner in receipt of 1lb more in this sphere.
It was a second Flat win for Brian Comer’s 6-year-old to go with three victories over hurdles.
Winning trainer Edward O’Grady said: “I suggested that he (Lee) might smuggle him into the race and I have to give him great credit.
“He had a good run on the Flat at the Curragh back in June and a reproduction of that was always going to put him there or thereabouts.
“I'd say he just about got away with the ground. We'll probably go back for a hurdle race now and I'm delighted for Mr. Comer, it's nice to have a winner for him.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
