'It was an inspired ride' - Billy Lee regains Irish jockeys' championship lead

Saturday: Curragh

A fascinating tussle between Colin Keane and Billy Lee for the Irish Flat jockeys' championship looks set to go right down to the wire, as Lee edged one in front through an "inspired ride" on Listed scorer Are We Dreaming.

Rated just 79, the Willie McCreery-trained three-year-old raced virtually on her own on the far side for much of the journey in the 6f Bord Na Mona Recycling Brigid's Pastures Stakes.

She found generously for pressure to spring a 20-1 surprise, taking Lee back to the lead on a scoreline of 81-80 in the championship after Keane had drawn level at Dundalk on Friday night.

McCreery said: "It was an inspired ride by Billy. He got her into a lovely rhythm, and when that happens they go better and further than anyone else. He couldn't believe that he could hear sticks flailing, so sat a bit longer.

Willie McCreery (furthest right): 'Billy couldn't believe he could hear sticks flailing so sat a bit longer then'Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"The late Hugh Hyland, God rest him, will be looking down on us today. He was a part-owner of this filly so this will give a bit of a boost to the Oghill House Stud crew."

Rock rolls to first Group win

Success in the Group 3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes aboard Lumiere Rock yielded another milestone in the burgeoning career of Mikey Sheehy, as the 19-year-old savoured his first win in Group company on the 11-1 outsider.

Trained by Joseph O'Brien, the juvenile filly found an opportune moment to get off the mark for owner Michael O'Flynn after going close, but failing to win in a trio of maidens.

Sheehy, who rode out his claim with a win in the Irish Cambridgeshire on Federal in August, was seen at his best when making all aboard the length-and-a-half winner, with the 5-4 favourite Be Happy proving disappointing in fifth.

Lumiere Rock (yellow and red silks): kept on strongly to win the Staffordstown Stud StakesCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"A massive thanks to Joseph for the opportunities he gives me, I just can't thank him enough," Sheehy said. "Things are going good and long may it continue."

He added: "Lumiere Rock has done it well. I’ve ridden her on all three previous starts and she just lacks a bit of a gear, we went steady last time. Today I was able to make the running and went along nicely in my own comfort zone, building it from four furlongs out.

"In fairness to her, every time a horse joined me she kept finding more. Hopefully she's a nice filly going forward and it’s great to get black type."

Harrington lands Cesarewitch consolation

Fresh from a Thurles treble on Thursday, Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley extended their excellent run of form with a win for Autumn Evening in the €60,000 Friends Of The Curragh Pollardstown Handicap.

The race was introduced as a consolation prize for those who failed to get a go in the revamped Irish Cesarewitch, and the dual-purpose winner struck in good style as 7-2 favourite.

Winner for Walsh

It was also a memorable afternoon at Irish Flat racing headquarters for amateur rider Meryem Walsh, who recorded her first winner on the Harry Rogers-trained Final Endeavour in the Tesoro Vita Ladies Trophy.

Results, replays and analysis

Catch our in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Classic-winning jockey George Baker, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, weekly awards and much more, it is not to be missed.