Blue is the colour but not as predicted

Bluemountainbeach was all the rage for the mares bumper following her promising second on debut at the Punchestown Festival but the odds-on favourite could only manage seventh as the more experienced Myblueeyedgirl got off the mark.

The daughter of Milan had shown promise on her three previous outings, and was patiently-ridden here by Fergal Harford – brother of the winning trainer Gillian Callaghan.

Harford, recording his second win, produced the five-year-old mare to lead in the straight and, despite drifting left in the closing stages, the 9/1 chance beat the staying on Station Closed (25/1) by three and a half lengths.

Newcomer Sue And Isi (4/1) was another three quarters of a length back in third.

Callaghan said, “She did it really well, and came on from her last run at Kilbeggan. She is a half-sister to Mad Brian, and she will go hurdling now. Fergal gave her a great ride, and he was very patient on her.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy