Home By The Lee wins grade one Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle

On a special day at Aintree from a Cork perspective, with Paul Townend winning the Grand National on I Am Maximus - Home By The Lee, who became the joint-oldest winner ever of the Grade One Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month followed up with a memorable victory at Aintree this afternoon in the Grade One €250,000 Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle.

He sported the well-known silks of Drimoleague native Sean O’Driscoll.

Partnered by JJ Slevin, the eleven-year-old was always prominent and kept finding for JJ as he powered clear to score by seven lengths from Take No Chances.

Sean O’Driscoll, who gave a rendition of the “banks of my own lovely lee” at Cheltenham wasn't present today. 

He's away with his family and grandkids.

Today’s victory was all the more special as they've raced Home By The Lee much more often than usual this season. 

In the past they've tended to keep him fresh - but he's been on a roll this year with victories at Gowran in the Galmoy Hurdle as a prelude to Cheltenham and Aintree glory. 

The early pace wasn't strong so JJ Slevin decided to inject some pace. 

He seized the initiative taking the lead with seven hurdles to go and never relinquished it thereafter. 

He went off at 5-1 today having been supported at 9/1 in the ring. He’s a horse laden with deep stamina reserves and JJ's decision to kick on seven out proved pivotal as he gave him a superb ride.

Joseph O'Brien's horse was pulled up on his two previous visits to Aintree but he banished those memories here under a prominent ride from JJ Slevin.

As the pursuers queued up in the straight he briefly looked vulnerable but he responded for pressure to record a memorable seven-length success.

Dan Skelton's tremendous day following an early treble almost got even better but his Take No Chances who'd travelled smoothly had to settle for second in the end.

Honesty Policy, the 5/2 favourite, finished third.

Trainer Joseph O’Brien waxed lyrical afterwards. 

“He has been a star for a number of years and we have been learning about him as well. 

"We had a plan today that once they got down the back straight that JJ (Slevin) was going to inject the pace and he really stepped up the pace of the race down the back.

“We said whoever was going to win today was going to out stay us and he outstayed all of them. 

"JJ gave him a fantastic ride.” 

Home By The Lee sprung to prominence back in 2019 when he made a winning debut for Joseph O'Brien and jockey Tom Hamilton in a bumper at Killarney.

Tom Hamilton had won on Beautiful Citi, his full-sister at Clonmel. 

In the interim he's been a remarkable servant to the O’Driscoll’s and to Joseph O’Brien.