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Easy win for returning Irish Derby-third

French Claim and Bill LeeFrench Claim and Bill Lee
© Photo Healy Racing

Last year's Irish Derby-third French Claim returned to winning ways at Navan today, landing the Navan Racecourse Race for trainer Paddy Twomey, jockey Bill Lee and owners Teme Valley.

Third-placed behind Westover in last June's Irish classic, the son of French Fifteen today had no difficulty justifying 4/9 favouritism, beating runner-up Taipan by seven and a half lengths.

Twomey, following a winning start to the new season, said “it was a nice to get a lead (from front-running Oriental Eagle , he has form on that ground, won on it in Listowel and Cork but he is pretty versatile. He's good fresh.

“The end of last year was a bit of a mess so hopefully this year we'll have a good year. I'd say he'll come back here for the Vintage Crop Stakes. He was third in the Irish Derby but he hasn't won a stakes races yet so we'll try and win one, and take the steps from there.

“Today was just to take the first step and hopefully he'll improve. Staying isn't a problem to him.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

1st
4/9Fav
Tote €1.50 €1.10
2nd
7.5L
10/3
€1.70
3rd
9L
80/1
4th
2.5L
5/1
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.