Le Vagabond and Billy Lee set sail for home© Photo Healy Racing
All seemed set for a big run from course winner Le Vagabond in the featured At The Races Kingdom Gold Cup Handicap at Killarney and so it proved as the Edward O'Grady runner gained the day under Billy Lee.
Lee was in double form here last evening, including in the centrepiece of that card, and in this mile and three quarter contest he was aboard the Weir House Syndicate-owned Le Vagabond for the first time in a race.
The victorious 9/2 shot caught the eye with the way he was travelling in the straight and he led from the two pole.
Ridden clear approaching the final furlong Le Vagabond stayed on strongly to oblige by two and a half lengths over Artful Artist
"I was worried about him getting the trip but they didn't go a great gallop which helped," reflected O'Grady.
"He has been running consistently in those handicaps. When you run in those competitive handicaps you never know which day you are going to win but hopefully you might get to win once.
"Today seemed to be his day and he won here in May.
"He'll get an entry in the Lartigue (Hurdle at Listowel) and there is also a €100,000 race for him on Champions Weekend."
Gold Cup winner Captain Christy and Melbourne Cup winner Vintage Crop were previous winners of this race, formerly the Carling Gold Cup, when it was run at Tralee.
S. Foley, rider of Asbury Boss trained by M.Halford, reported to the Clerk of Scales that the ground(good to firm) was too quick for his charge.
S.P. Davis, rider of Sretaw trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left.
(TW & EM)
