Bellewstown celebrates 300 years of racing with free admission to the Co Meath track on Tuesday evening.The Irish National Professional Bookmakers Association sponsors gate entry to mark the first recorded evidence of racing on the Hill of Crockafotha in 1726.Famed for being the stage of the Yellow Sam betting coup masterminded by renowned gambler Barney Curley in 1975, Bellewstown has hosted some famous jockeys over the years, including Lester Piggott and Frankie Dettori.If there was a curio element to both those famous names riding around the hill, there’s nothing gimmicky about the top jockeys competing on Tuesday. The three-way tussle to be crowned champion in Ireland this season sees the in-form trio of Billy Lee, Dylan Browne McMonagle and Colin Keane taking each other on.Lee, on 65 winners for the season, currently holds a narrow lead over his two rivals, who are each on 61. Browne McMonagle is the reigning champion and his 723/1 Curragh five-timer on Saturday was enough for some bookmakers to make him odds-on to retain the title. Lee is a 9/4 shot to finally land a first championship having finished runner-up to Keane three times, including when beaten by just three winners (92-89) in 2022. The Limerick rider has four spins on Tuesday, one less than each of his championship competitors. Keane is busy at one of his local tracks despite a hugely successful Ebor festival at York last week for his Juddmonte employers.The prospect of ground conditions easing somewhat could help Lee get off to a good start in the opening maiden with Star Of Beauty for Ken Condon.All three are in action in a later 12-furlong fillies maiden, although this might prove a valuable winning bracket for Ballydoyle’s regally bred Cosmetic. The Frankel half-sister to Hydrangea and Hermosa may need only to run up to her official rating of 82 to score.
Billy Lee goes to Bellewstown with slender lead in race for jockeys’ title
Free entry to celebrate 300th anniversary of racing at the Co Meath venue








