Monas Melody takes charge in Killarney finale

Young Ruler Of The World mare Monas Melody upstaged some better known rivals to win the Gap Of Dunloe (Q.R.) Maiden at Killarney.

Odds-on favourite Jesse Evans was too keen for his own good and ended up finishing fourth, and up front the Pa King-ridden Monas Melody saw off Magic Tricks by two and a half lengths.

The runner-up had been bidding to supplement Denise Foster’s earlier Downpatrick hat-trick, whilst ten-year-old Snugsborough Hall ran well to be third.

"She is very good and came on a lot from the last day. She has got black-type already in bumpers and while that (1m6f) would be her bare minimum, she could get black-type on the flat too if she got a longer race,” said winning trainer Sam Curling.

"Pa gave her a great ride, he rides lots of our point to pointers and it is great he got a winner there.

"I'm not sure what to do next - she could go for the 2m5f maiden hurdle at Galway but I'll speak to Alfie (Sweetnam, owner) as she is still for sale. I always thought she wanted softer ground but she seems very at home on that and we'll keep her going for the summer."

(TW & EM)