Elliott trained mare is Bellewstown Queen

Country Queen stepped forward from her previous two starts to make it third time lucky in the concluding Bar One Racing "Getting Out Stakes" at Bellewstown.

The Gordon Elliott trained mare had to survive a stewards inquiry, having run about once getting to the lead inside the last furlong.

At one point she ducked to her left and attempted to run out but jockey Harry Swan did exceptionally well to remain balanced and get his mount back on an even keel.

Even when back in front, the mare showed real signs of greenness, so was undoubtedly value for more than the winning margin.

Harry Swan said: "Yeah she has (improved from the last day). Today, they probably went a stride too quick for her and she just wasn't travelling as well as I thought she would.

"To be fair to her just coming up the hill there, when I asked her to quicken, she quickened and all she does is stay.

"She was just very green when she hit the front and idled a bit, but she was still well in charge."

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Uncle Phil ridden by Miss J. Townend, placed second, Rexem ridden by Mr B. W. Harvey, placed third, and Country Queen, ridden by Mr H.C. Swan, placed first, where it appeared that interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Miss. J. Townend stated that she suffered interference and felt it cost her a lot of momentum and a couple of lengths. Mr. B. W. Harvey stated that he just had to switch and it did not cost him anything. Mr. H. C. Swan stated that his mount veered left and tried to run out when it hit the front. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that while Country Queen had caused interference to Uncle Phil she did not improve her finishing position as a result of this interference so they made no alteration to the Judge’s placings and took no further action.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham