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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

McCreery and Lee at double with Devonshire

Sat 21st May 2016, 18:46

Devonshire approaches the line in the CurraghDevonshire approaches the line in the Curragh
© Photo Healy Racing

Devonshire brought up a 39/1 double for trainer Willie McCreery and jockey Billy Lee when scoring in the Group Two Lanwades Stud Stakes over a mile at the Curragh.

The four-year-old filly sat second just off Queen Catrine before being pushed along to lead outside the two pole.

Lee went for the whip a furlong and a half out and his mount kept finding as she closed out the race by two lengths at 4/1. Irish Rookie the 3/1 joint favourite, kept on to take the runner-up berth for Martyn Meade and Pat Smullen.

Billy Lee, in the Godolphin colours, said: "I was keen to get a good position early on because she likes to get on with it. She settles in better to her races that way and I knew when I gave her a kick in the belly that she'll keep responding to me. Every time a horse came to her she'll dig a bit deeper and she'll respond to every call going to the line.

"She goes on any ground bar fast ground. She went to Canada last year and hopefully she can do it again. It's nice to be riding them [Willie McCreery's horses] and it gives you good confidence when they are winning like that so hopefully it'll continue."

Willie McCreery added: "Billy counts for a lot on her as he knows her so well. He gave her a lovely ride and the bit of cover helped. We said that we wouldn't let it turn into a sprint.

"I think the weight of 9st12lb beat her the last day. The 9st today was a big help as she's not that big but she's all heart. There are a few options in America which could suit her where she would only carry 8st8lb."

Devonshire was cut by Paddy Power from 20/1 to 12/1 for the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

McCreery and Lee teamed up with Downforce (7/1) in race two on the card - the BMW Handicap.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
4/1
Tote €4.50 €2.00
2nd
2L
3/1JFav
€2.10
3rd
0.75L
10/1
4th
1.75L
3/1JFav
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.