Carrow Queen (centre) holds off Miss Mardan (right)© Photo Healy Racing
The father and son team of Val and Tommy O’Brien teamed up to take the mares bumper with Carrow Queen
The finale provided a thrilling finish with three runners flashing past the post, and the judge was required to confirm young O’Brien had ridden his second winner under rules.
The five-year-old mare was sent off a 16/1 chance despite making the frame over course and distance last month, and was sent past the 100/30 favourite Fromdollarstoeuros early in the final furlong.
However Miss Mardan (6/1) finished really strongly in the closing stages to get within a neck at the line, with the rallying favourite the same distance back in third.
The Athenry trainer said afterwards, “She did it nicely and will go for a maiden hurdle soon.”
