Billy Lee leads Colin Keane 89-88 as jockeys' championship nears its climax

Wednesday: Curragh

Billy Lee took the lead in the jockeys' championship and leads his rival Colin Keane 89-88 after the Curragh's final fixture of 2022.

The day had plenty of twists and turns in store for Lee but it began well when he produced Nightcliff from off the pace to assert close home in a competitive juvenile fillies maiden, prevailing by half a length from the Dermot Weld-trained newcomer Azazat.

The winner is trained in Limerick by David Geary, who said: "I was very concerned by the heavy ground but they were racing on a fresh strip so I decided to run.

"She missed a lot of the season with a splint, but we've been very happy with her. She's a big filly and has grown since June, so hopefully next year there will be a bit more to come from her."

The rest of Lee's day did not go to plan. His mount, the 2-1 favourite Cnodian, was drawn on the wrong side of the track and never got into the 6f handicap. The race was won by his stablemate Downforce, who Lee could have partnered.

The ten-year-old had won previously at Listed level and took advantage of a mark of 73, making virtually all.

His trainer Willie McCreery said: "There's life in the old dog yet. I love the way he fought back in the last 50 yards.

"We use him as a lead horse nowadays and he does great work in the yard. He's a lovable old horse and we'll probably run him at Naas on Sunday week. He's earned the right to come back next year."

Lee was agonisingly denied a double when the Eddie and Patrick Harty-trained Advantage Point was denied in the 1m6f handicap. The verdict went the way of Joupe for trainer Peter Lawlor under a strong drive from the talented apprentice Daniel King.

Rutledge off the mark

The Ross O'Sullivan-trained Mr Rango gained his second win of the season in the 1m2f handicap, coming from well off the pace to win going away by three and a half lengths. It was a first Curragh winner for rider Siobhan Rutledge.

The winning trainer was represented by his wife Katie, who said: "He was a bit keen here the last day but he's tough, loves the ground and stays all day.

"Tom Harney works for Ross and his uncle owns the horse. Tom is going out with Siobhan so it was a real family day!"

Results, replays and analysis

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