Queen Alphabet and Smullen a good team

Queen Alphabet enjoyed her spin round Ballinrobe and picked up a nice pot for trainer Peter Fahey.

The seven-year-old mare, who is better known for her hurdling exploits, raced second in this mile and five fillies' handicap before assuming the lead after three furlongs.

Pat Smullen then dictated the fractions but looked to have a stern challenge from Jeremys Joy who made rapid headway from the rear to sit a close second five furlongs from home.

However, Jeremys Joy was well off the bridle over two furlongs out as Queen Alphabet (3/1f) sail for home.

She hugged the rail and readily moved clear on the home turn and was ridden outside the furlong pole to go on and win her race by a length and a half. Little Stampy stayed on for second at 7/1. Morga also closed into third at 9/2. She was beaten two lengths by the winner.

Peter Fahey said: "Pat (Smullen) was very good - he knows her better than I do at this stage and gave her a brilliant ride; he saw that there was no pace and then steadied it up completely in front.

"We probably made too much use of her at Wexford the last day but she is a very consistent mare and will tip away when ever the ground is good.

"There are plenty of options for her - she could go for a 0-90 flat handicap at Bellewstown next or the Ladies' Derby at the Curragh on Oaks weekend or else back over hurdles.

"It's great for Stephen and Carmel Ennis (owners), from Castletown Geoghegan as Stephen hasn't been well for a while so it will give him a good boost."

This was a 25,000 Euro race with 15,375 Euro going to the winner.

Queen Alphabet was winning for the second time on the level to add to her three hurdle successes and a bumper victory.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes