Downtown Queen made all under Conor McNamara© Photo Healy Racing
Downtown Queen made just about all the running to take the AJC Group Maiden Hurdle under Conor McNamara at Downpatrick.
The five-year-old was making her first start since December but was sent straight into the lead in order to make it a test of stamina.
Favourite Rodney Bay looked a big danger tracking the mare in second two out but an untidy jump left him a couple of lengths down.
To his credit, Rodney Bay was back for more at the final flight but again he was less than fluent. Try as he might on the uphill climb, jockey Paddy O'Hanlon was unable to bridge the gap.
Conor McNamara said: "Paddy O'Hanlon's horse (Rodney Bay) kind of challenged me for the lead over the first and I just let her rock on rather than fighting her. She relaxed in front and I got plenty of breathers into her.
"She jumped like a stag. She stayed going to the line well and she'll stay further hopefully.
"A bit of nicer ground and she went away well on that today."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
