Punters Recite A Prayer but to no avail

Queensteel outgunned the 6/5 favourite Recite A Prayer in the second split of the three mile maiden hurdle in Tipperary.

Recite A Prayer dictated throughout but had Queensteel upsides three out with the rest facing a tough task.

The leader was awkward and soon joined by Queensteel who was first to come off the bridle but she got back on it straightening for home as Recite A Prayer hit a flat spot.

She jumped two out better than her rival and Recite A Prayer came under the whip before the last.

Queensteel was pushed out in the final 100 yards of the run-in to score by six and a half lengths from the weakening runner-up. She was returned at 10/3 having been available at 10/1 in the morning.

There was a 42-length gap back to third-placed Stow's Pearl (22/1 from 33/1).

Owner/trainer Leonard Whitmore said: "We were hoping for the best. She ran a goodish race at Killarney the last day and that brought her on a bit.

"I'm happy out and we'll keep her going - whatever comes down from the heavens, comes down."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes