HOME BY THE Lee turned the tables on Bob Olinger to take the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.
The two horses have met in this contest three times, with the former defeating the latter by two lengths in 2022.
The following year the ever-popular Bob Olinger exacted his revenge and took the title as Home By The Lee could only finish third, with Zanahiyr between them.
This year Henry de Bromhead’s Bob Olinger was the 11-8 favourite with Home By The Lee sent off at 7-1 for Joseph O’Brien, and it was the two geldings who locked horns in the latter stages.
O’Brien’s runner eventually prevailed, scoring by three and a half lengths under Danny Mullins to regain his title.
“He ran well in the race the last couple of years and he was a good bit better off at the weights this year,” said O’Brien.
“It is very much his first run of the year, but I thought he really went through the race well and jumped well. Danny was impressed with him. I couldn’t be happier.
“We always keep him fresh, so we will wait for Christmas (Hurdle, Leopardstown) now and then he will go from Christmas to Cheltenham. His path kind of plots itself.”
Later on Saturday, Gordon Elliott’s Found A Fifty won the Grade 2 Fortria Chase in the hands of Jack Kennedy.
Joseph O’Brien and Danny Mullins were denied a feature double as Solness came up a neck short in second, while Senecia was a length back in third.
I wonder might Schmidt regret leaving out Olding? Played very well against Toulon and getting two tries tonight shows he deserves a place on the panel.
Olding was terrific in what were poor conditions against weak opposition but still a fine performance. Great prospect at FB or midfield. Ulster pack were poor and Paul Marshall was bloody awful. Ulster should have scored 5 or 6 tries instead of only 3.
No doubt he’ll play a part in the Georgia game. He’s an exciting prospect, but as a 12, he’s unlikely to play a part in a game against SA if D’Arcy is available. D’Arcy’s experience will be too important.
But Schmidt called him up into the squad for the upcoming games, Conor.
Olding is in the extended squad! He’s played fullback, 12 and covered and played (I think) at 10 this year. A bolter possibly to replace mads as bench cover with possibly gilroy and marmion/redden the other bench spots for the backs
Paul Marshall was a mixed bag. He played really well in the first half but something happened in the 2nd and his performance started to deteriorate. His line breaks are instinctual and wonder if this is why they appear to end in recycled possession. Would really like to see him kick through or chip ahead in his line breaks to put the opposition under more pressure.
Olding a ray of light in an otherwise incipid ulster performance, second half especially. The team is hardly recognisable from two years ago.
How did McCloskey play?
Strangely he was subbed for Humphreys and given PJs kicking wasnt great and Stuart was doing damage. In the first half they played a broken fielding kicking game.
He was a threat. The Dragons needed to tackle him in numbers.
Lovely touch for Olding’s 2nd. Starting to look a bit more confident. He is willing to try the kick through. One lovely clearance kick too.
Defensively he remains solid, although, I’d love to see him start to read ahead a bit and really get up in some opposition faces. That said he doesn’t miss with his tackles.
A big Heineken and international future hopefully awaits. I’d imagine his physical presence and good handling could be pretty useful for executing backs moves. There’s some strength in depth at 12 in Ulster
He did fair bit of kicking and created panic in the defensive line as well as his line breaking skills.
Sorry that was Olding
I’m a huge fan of Olding and look forward to seeing him in starting Irish jersey.
I’m picking at hairs here but following your comment about his defence…he missed tackles against Toulon, so we can’t say its “solid” just yet.
He’ll need to be able to manage big opposition like Bastareaud better before Schmidt will risk starting him over another established international.
Plenty of international standard players miss tackles against Bastareaud!
Yeah but the better ones don’t.
I’m sure Bastareuad is a nightmare to defend against, but no doubt Stuart will have learned a lot from those two missed opportunities and next time his hips & feet will be in a better position.
Sorry, Chris, was referring to McCloskey.