McCreery's filly makes winning handicap debut

Musical Rue (7/1) was sharp out of the gates and made all for Nathan Crosse in the Metcollect 3-y-o Handicap.

She was chased by Misterio after rounding the elbow, but ran on well to hold that rival by a length and a half.

The slow-starting Earls was back in third, while the gambled-on 11/4 favourite Hija De La Luna raced prominently but faded after the field rounded the elbow.

The winner, bred by Rathbarry Stud and a half-sister to four winners, was making her handicap debut after finishing third in a couple of maiden outings at Limerick and Bellewstown.

Winning trainer Willie McCreery said: "The (first-time) visor helped, and the fast five furlongs allowed Nathan (Crosse) to get her into stride early.

"Hopefully the handicapper isn't too hard on her.

"She'll be out again soon on good ground or faster, she'd be in trouble on slow ground."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham