"Three-quarters fit" Queens Brook makes winning start over flights

Cheltenham bumper third placer Queens Brook delivered at the first time of asking over flights, but not as easy as odds of 2/7 suggested she would in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Powers are 10/1 unchanged about Queens Brook for the mares novice hurdle at Cheltenham after she’d just kept the Henry de Bromhead’s newcomers, Gua Du Large and Decimation at bay.

Davy Russell looked happy aboard the Noel and Valerie Moran-owned and Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old throughout, on the front end.

Two miles might be on the short-side for the former winning pointer, but she found enough to hang on from the dead-heaters by a neck.

“She was the one horse that came back in looking like a broodmare,” said Elliott.

“I wanted to run her to try and have her back for Down Royal. We knew she was only 75 or 80 per cent fit.

“Davy said she blew up twice. He said if she was fit and right he should have been letting her stride on four or five out but he was sitting against her.

“He said she had two blows but jumped great, did everything right and only got tired.

“We didn't want to make it but there was no pace. We knew coming here today she was only three-quarters fit and thankfully it's job done.

“She's a nice mare and she's one to look forward to. I'd say when she gets two-and-a-half miles she's going to be class, in a true run race.

“She just did what she had to do. Davy said she had to do everything he didn't want to do. He said he was never going to get beat but that she did get tired.”

The Stewards interviewed G. Brouder, rider of Master Of De Style concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that G. Brouder was in breach of R10(3)(b) by using his whip unnecessarily after his chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended G. Brouder for 4 racedays.

(GC & EM)