Limerick jockey Billy Lee in winners' enclosure at Dundalk

LIMERICK jockey Billy Lee was among the winners at the penultimate meeting of the year at Dundalk on Friday night when he partnered trainer David Marnane’s Freescape to a very cosy success of the 10-furlong handicap.

Ballingarry horseman Lee made virtually all the running on the seven-year-old which raced clear from the two-furlong marker to beat fellow 3/1 joint-favourite Vina Sena, trained by Henry de Bromhead, by three and three-parts of a length. Freescape is now a six-time winner at Dundalk and he will be in action for Marnane in Dubai early in the new year.

Successful over hurdles at Limerick late last month, the Diarmuid Moloney-ridden Brandy Harbour scored a follow-up success in the two-mile two-furlong handicap chase at Thurles on Sunday. The 5/1 chance gained a definite advantage under the Ardnacrusha conditional jockey before the third-last fence and made the best of his way home to record a six-length win over the Sean O'Brien-trained 40/1 shot R’evelyn Pleasure for trainer Grainne O'Connor.

Legendary jockey Davy Russell bows out with Thurles success:

Davy Russell called time on his remarkable career in the saddle when partnering the Gordon Elliott-trained Liberty Dance to win the Listed Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Thurles on Sunday.

In the colours of owner Tim O’Driscoll, the 6/5 favourite led early in the straight and went clear from the second last hurdle to win by five and a half lengths from the Henry de Bromhead-trained Belle The Lioness.

Russell’s stellar career was topped by his association with dual Aintree Grand National winner Tiger Roll and his Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere. In all, he rode 58 Grade 1 winners and was champion jockey in Ireland on three occasions.

Upcoming Fixtures:

Naas – Tuesday, December 20 (First Race 12.05pm)

Fairyhouse – Wednesday, December 21 (First Race 12.10pm)

Dundalk – Wednesday, December 21 (First Race 4.15pm)

Down Royal – Monday, December 26 (First Race 11.40am)

Leopardstown – Monday, December 26 (First Race 12 noon)

Limerick – Monday, December 26 (First Race 12.25pm)

Leopardstown – Tuesday, December 27 (First Race 12.05pm)

Limerick – Tuesday, December 27 (First Race 12.19pm)

Leopardstown – Wednesday, December 28 (First Race 12 noon)

Limerick – Wednesday, December 28 (First Race 12.20pm)

Leopardstown – Thursday, December 29 (First Race 12 noon)

Limerick – Thursday, December 29 (First Race 12.20pm)

Punchestown – Saturday, December 31 (First Race 12.15pm)