Follow Me resumes winning ways Jockeys’ championship-leader Billy Lee completed a Punchestown double when steering the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Follow Me (13/2) to an overdue third career success today, in the Jumps Opener October 13th Handicap. Previously successful both in April and May 2024, the five-year-old gelding’s rating had since slipped from a high of 100 to 77, and today raced prominently throughout to score readily from Hassaniya . Lee had earlier won the opener on The Good Wife, with his latest success moving him four clear of Colin Keane (74-70) in the title race. Afterwards trainer O’Sullivan said “I’m delighted as it’s a long time in the making with Follow Me. He looked like a star as a three-year-old and after winning his maiden at the Curragh (April 2024), he then won a good handicap. Shane Foley had ridden him in work and we thought he was creeping up to be a really nice horse, but then it just went the other way. “He went to Ascot (2024) and from then on, maybe the ground was too quick and he just lost his form. He was a long time coming back and it took nearly a full year to get his head right. A couple of times we were thinking would he ever come back.” He added “he’s found a new lease of life this year and is happier. He started working well, was leading the two-year-olds and is enjoying it. It got his confidence back. Dylan Browne McMonagle had ridden him a couple of times and said to keep the faith and that he would come back to himself, so I’m glad it has worked out, although it is a pity Dylan missed out. “I’m delighted for Amanda (Torrens) who is a great owner in the yard. “You’re hoping that will give him confidence and he’ll keep climbing. We’re back on track because the engine is there, if we can keep the head right.” Quotes from Gary Carson
