THOU ART PETER and Billy Lee (right) win for trainer Andrew Oliver. © Photo Healy Racing
There was a shock in the Kildare Post Maiden at Naas as Andy Oliver’s newcomer Thou Art Peter (66s into 40/1 on course) stretched right away from his eleven rivals to win by six and-a-half lengths.
The favourite Hazran (11/8) had to settle for minor money again in second, half a length ahead of The Virginian 12/1) in third place.
Billy Lee, after four winners at the Galway Festival, was completing a double having won the opener on Celtic Beauty
He had the Es Que Love gelding in mid-division, asked him to improve early in the straight and sent him on outside the furlong marker for an impressive victory.
Winning trainer Andy Oliver said: “He’s a lovely horse and is bred by Ivan and Eileen Heanen who put him with me. They have been very patient, and are lovely people who thoroughly deserve it.
“He’s just a big, backward horse that needed time. We gave him time and it has worked out. Billy gave him a lovely ride, very kind with him and he just stretched away.
“I thought he was good enough to win but that was impressive.
“He’s only a frame of a horse yet, and there is plenty of furnishing to come.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
