Mamma provides Queally with his first win

After hitting the crossbar on a couple of occasions in the past, including finishing a neck second on Judies Child earlier, Ian Queally finally got off the mark as he recorded his first winner, on his 73rd ride, aboard Mamma Rosa in the Costello’s Tavern Apprentice Handicap.

The seventeen-year-old, who is no relation to Tom and Declan, is from Fanore in Co Clare and he works full-time as an apprentice to Pat Flynn.

Mamma Rosa, who is a five-year-old daughter of Footstepsinthesand, was recording just her second career success this evening, with her previous win coming at Listowel in September of 2011.

She had put in numerous good efforts in defeat since her last success, and she wasn’t beaten far on her last three outings.

Sent off at 8/1 this evening, she hit the front over a furlong out and kept on well from there to score by half a length. Maal (8/1) stayed on well to take second under Colin Keane for David Marnane, while Diamond Daze (9/1) was a length and a quarter back in third under Robbie Downey for Eddie Lynam.

First reserve, Captain May completed the placings a head back in fourth under Shane Gray for Andrew Lee, while the 5/2 favourite (9/2 this morning), Apache Gold finished back in fifth under Connor King for John Joe Walsh.

Winning trainer Pat Flynn said afterwards: "He is a good well-mannered lad (Queally) who comes from a nice family.

"We felt that the filly had a very good chance this morning and if the horse was good enough, the lad was good enough.

"She wants a cut in the ground and she had been unlucky a few times on fast ground.

"I kept going with her as I knew there was one in her. I’ll keep going with her now and she should win again."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes