In-form Lee wins with long-standing maiden

Trainer Norman Lee continued an excellent run of form today with long-standing maiden Eddies Pride (8/1), which won Fairyhouse's Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase, under jockey Gary Noonan.

By champion stallion Flemensfirth, the eight year old got off the mark at the 30th attempt, arriving from off the pace to beat Merry Moves by half a length.

It was Gort-based Lee's ninth success this season, including a Listed hurdle win with She Is Electric, and he subsequently credited Noonan, saying “it was brilliant by Gary, he rode her cold and rode her to be placed. He came there at the right time and you can't beat a fella that will do exactly as you tell him. Gary is a very good claimer.”

“She's a lovely mare, she's actually a well-bred mare but she's had a lot of niggly problems. We'll find something similar again for her and it's a credit to the lads at home.

He added “she belongs to a great owner of ours Eddie Naughton; he isn't here today, he's under the weather a bit, but he'll be delighted with that. He bought her a good while ago and I didn't think it would take this long to get her across the line.”

Quotes from Gary Carson