Merry Doyenne wins for the Queallys

Narrowly beaten on her previous start at Punchestown in March, Merry Doyenne (3/1) went one better in the Ring Of Kerry (Mares) Maiden Hurdle.

When the leader Esthers Marvel blundered three out, it was left to the winner and the 5/2 favourite Lunar Display to fight out the finish with Declan Queally’s mount finding a little extra on the run-in to score by a length.

Trained by the winning rider's father Declan Senior in Cappagh, Co. Waterford for the Merry Hearted Syndicate, the successful 6-year-old is a half-sister to Alan King's useful staying chaser Canelo.

"That was brilliant and I'm delighted," said the winning rider.

"I got a lovely run around the inside and she jumped great and is a real chaser in the making.

"I was tempted to go back for a bumper with her but I'm glad now I didn't.

"We'll take the shoes off her now and leave her out and see what the syndicate want to do - we could easily go mares chasing as she is big, 16.3hh. It's great to have the syndicate on board."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes