HOME RUN

It's fifth time lucky in Stayers' for 33-1 Lee

- by MELISSA JONES

UP FOR THE FIGHT: Home By The Lee battles his way to Festival victory under JJ Slevin. Above, Mares' Hurdle heroine Wodhooh

PERSISTENCE paid off for "hard as nails" Home By The Lee as the old man of the party stunned at 33-1 in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.

The 11-year-old faced the starter for the fifth time having finished sixth, fifth, third and unseating JJ Slevin in an unlucky trip in front of the stands a year ago.

Only 13-2 on that occasion, support for the Joseph O'Brien trained runner had dwindled in a field that contained the last two winners, Bob Olinger and Teahupoo, plus a couple who were unexposed at long distances.