English/Ire
Home By The Lee makes it fifth time lucky in Stayers’ Hurdle
Persistence paid off for Joseph O’Brien and Home By The Lee as he struck at the fifth attempt in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained hurdler had previously finished no closer than third in his previous four attempts and had his latest effort in the race cut short when unseating at the sixth.
However, under an all-action J J Slevin ride, he powered up the Cheltenham hill at odds of 33/1 to fend off the fast-finishing Ballyburn and defending champion Bob Olinger.
Gordon Elliott's 9/4 favourite Teahupoo never looked being involved at the business end, while fellow leading contender Kabral Du Mathan appeared not to stay the trip as he weakened out of contention up the run-in having travelled powerfully throughout.
"We were just hoping for a good run," said Joseph O'Brien. "It was a fantastic ride by JJ, and I'm so delighted for Sean O'Driscoll and his family. They bred him, he's an 11-year-old and they've been with him all the way. He's as tough as nails. It was a huge team effort by everyone at home.
"We've raced him a bit more often than we usually do. We thought we'd get him running but we normally keep him very fresh.
"He's all stamina. He made all the right moves at every stage. Of all the horses I've ever trained he's the winning most in number of wins.
"We've had him since he just turned four, so he's been there a long time. He trains every day with enthusiasm and when he's off, he gets bored. He loves his work, loves his job, loves his racing and has never had a lame step in his life. He's a superstar."
Home By The Lee has now twelve of his 35 career starts and placed on a further five occasions.
Sean O'Driscoll, owner-breeder, added: "It's so difficult to win here. I'll dine out on this for a while!
"We came here with confidence, but the odds were stacked against us in that he's eleven years of age, it was his fifth attempt at the race, I don't think any horse has won it after running in it five times - the moral of the story is that there's always a first time!
"Never give up, that's the moral of the story. He has the heart of a lion."
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