Queen Alphabet and Davy Russell in Kilbeggan© Photo Healy Racing
Queen Alphabet who had some very strong bumper form to her name made a smooth transition to hurdling as she strode away to comprehensively win the two mile maiden hurdle in Killbeggan.
The Kings Theatre mare tanked along in sixth early on before settling in third on the second circuit. She was travelling much the best and Davy Russell brought her through to win cosily by three and three quarter lengths at 5/1. She was a market drifter from 5/2 in the morning.
German-bred Erlkonig who was prominent throughout, had no answer to the winner but kept on for second at 16/1 on his debut in Ireland. He won two flat races in Germany.
The 11/10 favourite, Voluptueux was beaten 14 and three quarter lengths into third. He could make no impression as the race hotted up. Philip Fenton’s five-year-old was heavily backed from 2/1 to 11/10 during the day.
Handler Peter Fahey said: “She’s a cracking filly. She has been unlucky really in her last three runs in bumpers. She was very unlucky in Punchestown and even in Aintree she got bumped around.
“The main thing about her is that she loves quick ground. She’ll probably go for a winners’ of one. She may even go back on the flat.”
Queen Alphabet was fifth in the Listed bumper at Aintree in April.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
