Myers lands Connacht Oaks after late drama

Without a win in her last twenty-one starts, Miss Myers landed the most valuable prize on the card at Sligo this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks Fillies Handicap.

Not beaten far on her last three starts, the Michael Grassick trained four-year-old certainly wasn't winning out of turn.

Sent off a 5/1 chance, the Zoffany bay was settled towards rear by Billy Lee and was ninth from halfway.

Pushed along on the outer from the two furlong pole, she soon made good progress and was ridden to front inside the final 200 yards.

The Joe Keeling owned victor soon edged right and hampered a number of her rivals, going on to score by a length-and-a-quarter at the line. Pachmena (14/1), who was short of room inside the final furlong, kept on well to take second under Leigh Roche for Gavin Cromwell, while So I Told You (10/3jf), who was hampered by the winner, was another half-a-length back in third. Aurora Princess and Vera Verto were also both hampered by the winner, while Sheishybrid who was the other joint-favourite, finished fifth.

Billy Lee, who was handed a two-day ban, said afterwards: "I'm delighted with her. She deserved that. She had a couple of good runs in defeat lately.

"She took me into the race well and won well at the line.

"That was a nice pot and we'll be hoping there’s another day in her."

STEWARDS REPORTS

W.J. Lee, rider of Miss Myers trained by M.C. Grassick, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount rolled right when she hit the front.

S.P. Davis, rider of Vera Verto trained by Jack W. Davison, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got tight for room about one and a half furlongs from the finish.

W. Joyce, rider of Aurora Princess trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was bumped in the straight.

The Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the final furlong involving So I Told You, ridden by H.J. Horgan, placed third, Miss Myers, ridden by W.J. Lee, placed first, Pachmena, ridden by L.F. Roche, placed second, Vera Verto, ridden by S.P. Davis, unplaced and Aurora Princess, ridden by W. Joyce, placed fourth, where it appeared that Miss Myers failed to keep a straight course and interference took place on her inside. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence S.P. Davis stated he got tight for room from pressure from his outside and had to take out of the situation. H.J. Horgan stated that he received pressure from his outside and took back out of the situation. W. Joyce stated that he received pressure from his outside and checked even though his mount was losing ground at the time. L.F. Roche stated that he was behind the front runners and waiting the chance to get a run and did not receive any interference. W.J. Lee stated that he challenged four places wide from the rails with his whip in his right hand but his mount rolled to the right and he gave the filly a slap to straighten her. He added that he pulled his mount off the horses on his inside when he heard shouts from the riders. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that while Miss Myers had caused interference, she did not improve her finishing position as a result of this interference so they made no alteration to the Judges placings. They were, however, of the opinion that W.J. Lee was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard, the Stewards suspended him for 2 racedays.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan