Lee gets a good tune out of Spanish Tenor

Following Dunkirk Harbour rsquo;s facile win from the front earlier on, Spanish Tenor (6/1) did something similar in the concluding Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Munster Mile Handicap when making all for a seven length victory.

Billy Lee ’s mount, in first-time blinkers, had the race put to bed from some way out as Red Striker (6/1) chased him home, with Takeachancejimmy (14/1) another two and three quarter lengths away in third place.

The slow-starting 7/4 favourite Dare To Flare never landed a blow.

The winner, a five-year-old entire by Lope De Vega, showed useful form at two and three and reached a mark of 105 at his peak. Having slipped a good bit down the ratings, he enjoyed the underfoot conditions to bounce right back to form off a career-low mark of 84.

"It is great to get him back, said winning trainer Tim Doyle.

“We thought he was gone a bit lazy in himself so we stuck blinkers on him for the first time. He had his ground, was a class above those in his heyday and Billy said he has a higher cruising speed than the rest of them.

"He's not in again but will be soon. He was going to be gelded last week but I said we'd give him one chance with blinkers. He more than likely will be gelded over the winter but he still has his ability and it is great to get a win with him."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes