No Alibi just prevails to complete double for Twomey & Lee No Alibi completed a double for Paddy Twomey and Billy Lee, as she just got the better of Stella Alpina in the Signal Mutual Maiden. A runner-up on debut at the Curragh last month, the successful bay was widely expected to go a place better this evening and was returned the 1/3 favourite in the colours of Merry Fox Stud Limited. Wayward when getting to the front from the furlong pole, the market leader gave another chance to the front-running Stella Alpina and she slightly bumped that rival inside the final 100 yards. Flashing past the line almost in unison, the judge was needed to split them, with a nose the official margin of victory. The runner-up was returned at 10/3 under Nathan Crosse for Willie McCreery, with Wegotogether (80/1) another four-and-three-quarters of a length back in third. While a stewards enquiry was later called, the result remained unaltered. "She is a well bred filly, it is great to win her maiden and she is probably still green," Twomey, who was earlier successful with Rogue Legend, commented. "She had one run at the Curragh six weeks ago, mine come forward plenty from their debut runs and she will continue to improve. "She is a sister to Treasure Trove who was very lucky for us and it took her a few runs to win. If she can get to anything like her heights it would be great, as Craig (Bennett, of Merry Fox Stud) is a breeder. Getting blacktype is now our mission." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference in the home straight involving No Alibi (USA), ridden by W.J. Lee, placed first and Stella Alpina, ridden by N.M. Crosse, placed second, where it appeared that an incident occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. N.M. Crosse stated that No Alibi came across him twice, making contact on the second time, he further stated that he had received interference twice. W.J. Lee stated that his mount edged out to the left and when corrected changed leads and moved left a second time. He further stated that he had made every effort to correct the movement. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards made no alterations to the Judges placings and took no further action * W.J. Lee, rider of No Alibi (USA), trained by P. Twomey, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung badly left under pressure * N.M. Crosse, rider of Stella Alpina, trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount received a bump late on and was carried left. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
