Daphne Moon toughs it out by a neck

Daphne Moon was made to work hard to land the odds in division one of Fairyhouse's mares' maiden hurdle but she came home well to prevail for Gordon Elliott.

She was pushed along by Jack Kennedy to deliver her challenge on the outside of Robyndeglory at the second-last flight.

She was then ridden upon touching down and still had Robyndeglory for company on her inner jumping the last. Dukes Mill was in behind the pair but made a mistake at that flight costing her any chance.

Daphne Moon held a narrow initiative on the run-in but Robyndeglory was up for the fight and it was tooth and nail all the way up on the run-in until Daphne Moon won the argument in the closing stages.

The 5/6 favourite scored by a neck from the 2/1 runner-up. Dukes Mill was six lengths adrift in third at 14/1.

Kennedy said: “I suppose after her run the last day [when second over course and distance in a mares' maiden hurdle in January] we were kind of hoping for that. She jumped and travelled well today and dug deep. She’s done it well.

“She made a mistake at the third last but the last two she was very good over them and that was probably the winning of it. She’ll definitely get further.”

The Stewards interviewed Mr D.L. Queally, rider of Robyndeglory, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10.3.(g)(frequency) and (i)time to respond and having taken his record into account suspended him for one race day.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee