Digeanta is ridden out by Billy Lee© Photo Healy Racing
After winning a Listed race on Fort Del Oro earlier on the card Billy Lee doubled-up (67/1 double) in the Tote Irish Cesarewitch as he guided the Willie Mullins (three winners on the day) trained Digenta to victory.
A winner over the course and distance in July the son of Helissio put in a rare poor performance when thirteenth in the race won by Silwana at Leopardstown on the Saturday of Champions Weekend.
Available at 25/1 last night he went off at 16's and was sent straight to the front by Lee.
He was ridden over two furlongs out and was soon strongly pressed on the inner by Western Boy
However he pulled out more from the furlong pole and kept on well from there home, scoring by three parts of a length at the line. Guard Of Honour (25/1) kept on well to take second under Colin Keane for George Baker while fellow UK raider Sea Pride (7/1) was a further half a length back in third under Luke Morris for Mark Prescott.
Western Boy (8/1) was half a length back in fourth under Fran Berry for Pat Fahy while the well-backed 4/1 favourite (10's this morning and from 9/2 on-course) Silver Concorde could only manage seventh under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.
Billy Lee said afterwards: "He was a bit slow out of the stalls the last day at Leopardstown and never got into a rhythm.
"There wasn't much pace on today and I let him bowl along. He kept responding. He handled that ground well but he's the sort of horse that would nearly handle any ground."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards requested a report from W.P. Mullins, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Digeanta placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer's representative, Ben Delmar, reported that this horse became upset in stalls last time at Leopardstown, missed the break and never travelled thereafter. It was also felt that the one mile six furlongs was a little on the sharp side with today's extra two furlongs benefitting the horse. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the contents of the report.
The Stewards interviewed L. Morris, rider of Sea Pride, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found L. Morris in breach of Reg 10 3 (a) and (g) and having taken his record into account the Stewards cautioned him regarding his whip use and also advised the rider to familiarise himself with the whip rules in future.
C.D. Hayes, rider of Majenta trained by Kevin Prendergast, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran too free.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
