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Merry Doyenne wins for the Queallys

Merry Doyenne and Declan Queally (left) jump the last upsides Lunar Display Merry Doyenne and Declan Queally (left) jump the last upsides Lunar Display
© Photo Healy Racing

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

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.