Naoi & Lee a winning combination Billy Lee brought Naoi (4/1 joint-favourite) with a well-timed challenge for a snug win in the La Bucca Restaurant Handicap over seven furlongs at Fairyhouse. Owned in partnership by legendary Liverpool number 9 Ian Rush and breeder Michael Ryan, the Siyouni filly is a granddaughter of dual Guineas winner Finsceal Beo. Eighth passing the two-furlong marker, the four-year-old picked up well after being switched to the outer and defeated Moyassr by a length. “I’m delighted with that, I was meant to run last weekend, but she didn’t get into the race in Chester," said winning trainer Willie McCreery. “I told Ian and Mick that we’d come here for this race, and Mick was a bit disappointed as he likes to have runners in Listowel, but I said the ground would suit her better here. “She likes that quick ground. She didn’t run as well the last time in the Curragh, because it was a little bit softer for her. “She won over seven in Leopardstown and it was six the last day as well. She was back to seven today, happy days.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
