Bob Olinger hits 1.02 in running but beaten by 999-1 shot Home By The Lee

Sunday: Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle, Navan

You probably would have had seven guesses before the race and nine during it before coming up with the name of Home By The Lee as a potential winner of a star-studded line-up, but the Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding pulled it out of the fire from an unlikely position to land this contest.

Anybody backing this horse would have torn up their ticket very early as he hit 999-1 in running on Betfair. After three flights he was getting reminders and losing his place. As flat spots go, there was a steamroller involved in this one.

As the race progressed, rider JJ Slevin just about managed to keep him in touch as champion stayer Flooring Porter took them along at a good gallop and the eye was drawn throughout the race to his attempt to make all.

But even more so as they turned in to Bob Olinger, having his first run over hurdles since winning the Ballymore at Cheltenham in 2021.

Rachael Blackmore had her hands full as both her mount and Ashdale Bob went past Flooring Porter three out. But on the outside, after being cajoled to stay in touch, came Home By The Lee with a renewed effort.

He jumped the last well, Bob Olinger did not, and the Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding stayed on more powerfully to win by two lengths.

He is owned and bred by Corkman Sean O'Driscoll, who said: “I'm delighted. It was a serious race with serious horses. We have had to be very patient with him and JJ Slevin gave him a serious ride. Thankfully, he hit his flat spot early today. Everybody thought he was finished but he was only getting going.”

O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell said: “His strong point is staying, he is really a three-miler. He had fitness on his side today and he got a serious ride from JJ He has had a nice break since his last run at Down Royal where he was unlucky. He does hit this flat spot in his races but JJ Knows him well. I would say it was nearly the ride of the season so far.

“He hasn't been the easiest horse. He was a bit wild when he was younger, he went chasing and he didn't take to it. But he's a very decent horse on his day. Staying will be his job. He is lazy but this track suited him and I told JJ if he was on their tails turning in he wouldn't be far away.”

Henry de Bromhead: Bob Olinger will 'definitely improve for fitness'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Bob Olinger's trainer Henry de Bromhead said: “If Home By The Lee had not been in the race, he would be a ten-length winner from Flooring Porter and we would all have been doing backflips.

"I thought he hurdled well and I loved the way he travelled, so there were probably a lot more positives about him than negatives.

"We lacked a run and he will definitely improve for fitness. The Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown has been named in memory of Jack, so I would think that's where we'll go.”

Dual Stayers Hurdle winner Flooring Porter set a good gallop under Danny Mullins before he was headed three out, but he battled back in the closing stages, beaten just over 12 lengths by the winner and losing out by a head for third place to Ashdale Bob.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell said: “I'm happy enough. The ground was yielding today and his stamina didn't come into play as much. Fitness-wise, he will come on a lot for that and we will head on to Leopardstown at Christmas.”

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