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Lee at double on Ascending in Cork Derby

Ascending, maroon and white, has his head in front where it countsAscending, maroon and white, has his head in front where it counts
© Healy Racing Photos

The Cork Derby was a handicapper's dream with five horses thrusting for the line and it was Henry de Bromhead's Ascending who just saw off his four rivals at the end of 1m 4f to seal a double for Billy Lee.

He was actually headed just outside the furlong pole by Star Harbour but rallied well in the closing stages to get up by a neck at 100/30. Satin was a neck behind the winner in second at 11/1 with Razdan a short head away at the same price. Star Harbour and Dutch Gold were just a head and a short head further back in fourth and fifth respectively.

Lee was also successful on City Of Memphis for Paddy Twomey.

The jockey said: "This horse isn't too bad and this is his minimum trip. He won at his ease over two miles in Dundalk and got put up plenty for it, but he is a good horse and there's a good handicap in him.

"I had to go forward and, to be fair to him, he quickened well down the straight. He was headed, but battled back gamely.

"I think once he steps back up in trip again, you'll see a better horse."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

1st
10/3
Tote €4.34 €1.40
2nd
nk
11/1
€2.80
3rd
shd
11/1
€2.80
4th
hd
14/1
bf
nk
15/8Fav
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.