Yesterday's Royal Hunt Cup hero Billy Lee was a busy man travelling on to Chelmsford City for a ride after that success. He was back on home soil this evening though to guide Highland Fortune to success in the opening Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Race (Plus 10 Race) at Leopardstown.

David Marnane's Settle For Bay provided Lee with a moment to remember at the Berkshire venue on Wednesday, but it could have got even better for him had Willie McCreery's Belle Boyd not lost out by just a neck in a Listed event on the polytrack later on.

Here Lee's mount Highland Fortune (Fozzy Stack trains) quickened well from over a furlong out to beat Hyde Park Corner by a length and a half.

"He jumped okay and settled into a lovely rhythm. I was able to tuck him in and we went a nice even gallop," said Lee.

"At the bend I gave him a squeeze and he came alive. He picked up real well and has won the last half-furlong pulling up.

"There is plenty of improvement in him and he's a nice horse for the future."

G.M.Lyons, trainer of Heavenly Rainbow reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that the saddle slipped on leaving the stalls.

(AM & EM)