Beleaguerment holds off Company Keeping© Photo Healy Racing
Billy Lee grabbed a quick double at Dundalk tonight, and moved one ahead in the jockey's title race, when teaming up with James McAuley again to score on Beleaguerment in the second division of the six furlong handicap.
The pair had landed the first leg of the race with Tai Sing Yeh and struck again as the 11/2 shot stuck his head out close home for a neck success. Adam's Angel set a strong pace but was claimed inside the final furlong by Beleaguerment who had responded well to Lee's urgings in the straight.
The Kodiac gelding ran around a touch under pressure but found more close home to hold the late finish of Company Keeping Title rival Colin Keane was back in third on Silver Nemo
McAuley said: "He can be ignorant enough at home but he had gone quiet which isn't like him. Much and all as I like quiet horses around the place, he needs to be at you and running off the end of the gallops.
"We ran him over five (in Bellewstown) specifically to sharpen him up. His whole demeanour has changed in the last couple of weeks.
"He ran himself into that mark when he was quiet at home, he was running okay without going overboard. I think the run over five definitely sharpened him up.
"I'd say Billy will be happy with a break when this is over in two weeks' time! He has earned them (tonight's winners), they weren't steering jobs. Anything he is available for, he can ride. The same with Colin (Keane), he was just chinned in the first (on Eglish .
"They are the best jockeys around and it makes sense to use them. Billy was available for those two and I'm delighted that he rode them."
Lee now sits on 86 winners.
There was a significant sting in the tail though as Lee picked up a six-day whip ban for the ride. He is set to miss the final two days of the Flat season.
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
