Anne takes the opener for McCreery & Lordan Queen Anne, in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed, got off the mark on her fourth career start as she took the opener at Listowel this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. The Willie McCreery trained daughter of Iffraaj ran well to finish second on her debut at Navan in April but was beaten into fifth on her next two starts, both of which came at Naas. Available at 10's this morning she was backed from 9/1 to 8’s on-course. Ridden by Wayne Lordan she went to the front after a furlong and was ridden two furlongs from home. She was strongly pressed inside the final furlong by As Good As Gold but she battled gamely, going on to score by three parts of a length at the line. As Good As Gold (9/2) had to settle for second for Aidan and Joseph (a pound overweight) O’Brien, while Future Icon was a further length and a half back in third under Billy Lee for Eddie Lynam at 20/1. Clutchingatstraws was sent off the 13/8 favourite but she didn’t get the run of the race and finished a never nearer fifth under Fergal Lynch for Michael O’Callaghan. Willie McCreery said afterwards: "I had her ready for the Curragh on Oaks weekend but she had little muscle tear and missed it. It probably did her good as she strengthened up a bit. "I thought with the draw that we had no chance but Wayne was posititve without forcing her. If she settles she will be a lovely seven furlongs filly." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
