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‘Up there with his best’ - Home By The Lee battles to Galmoy glory

Home By The Lee shrugged off both age and a hefty weight burden to land the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle in determined fashion, digging deep late on to repel Staffordshire Knot in an attritional battle.

HOME BY THE LEE.
HOME BY THE LEE. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

A dual Grade 1 winner for Joseph O'Brien, the eleven-year-old had shaped with plenty of credit when fourth in Leopardstown's Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle on his most recent start, a first outing for 241 days. Returning to action at Gowran Park for the Galmoy Hurdle off that effort, he was asked to concede plenty of weight, lining up with a burden of 11st12lb and once again having J J Slevin in the saddle - the rider now having partnered him in 25 of his 33 starts under rules.

In a 2m7f contest run at a searching gallop, Home By The Lee was ridden with restraint early as Staffordshire Knot made the running. Not always looking entirely comfortable in his rhythm, he was nevertheless kept within striking distance, Slevin allowing him to creep closer as the race developed into a test of stamina.

The pressure was increased approaching the last, with Home By The Lee moving onto the leader's heels despite still having plenty to do. He was asked to go and win his race after the final flight and, finding generously for pressure, he ground his way to the front on the run-in, edging out Staffordshire Knot to score by half a length. Behind the front two, the injury-afflicted multiple Grade One winner Gerri Colombe hinted at a return to form, before weakening late into third.

Speaking to Racing TV in the aftermath, winning trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "Stamina is his main forte, and when the going is tough, he generally keeps finding for you. I'm very proud of the horse and everyone at home. I thought JJ gave him a lovely ride in tough conditions.

"Generally, we like to space out his runs, because he's best fresh, but we felt after Leopardstown he was a bit rusty. To give 9lb to any horse, that would have to be up there with the best of his runs."


Harness Racing Victoria
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