Jumping first for O'Callaghan and Queally

Pegi Browne provided both Michael O’Callaghan and Ian Queally, better associated with the Flat, with their first winner over hurdles when justifying good support in the Oss Company Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park.

Queally (22) rode 15 winners as an apprentice on the Flat but has now taken out an amateur licence as he combines riding out with the Curragh trainer and studying at Griffith College.

The five-year-old mare, well-supported on track from 12/1 into 8/1, was sent to the front at the penultimate flight and stretched clear on the run-in to beat Arctic Sofa by four lengths. Jennys Grey stayed on to take third spot a further half-length adrift.

Queally said, “I rode 15 winners on the Flat but decided to go back to college and study business.

“I was finding the commute from Ballydoyle up to Dublin tough so I’ve moved to Kildare to work for Michael O’Callaghan. I ride out there in the morning from about 7 until 12, and then attend college in the evening.

“This was my third ride over hurdles and my first winner as an amateur and over hurdles.”