Queen strikes again in the Premier County Premier Queen made it two from two at Clonmel, as she relished the testing conditions in the Lisronagh Handicap Hurdle. Successful in a bumper at Powerstown Park in March of 2021, the Prunella Dobbs trained seven-year-old had been ultimately disappointing since, failing to make an impact on her handicap debut at Cork in November. Out of Premier Victory, who was a high-class five-time winner for Tom Hogan, the chestnut victor was sent off a 10/1 chance under five-pound claimer Kieran Buckley. Settled behind the leaders on the inner, the seven-year-old improved to lead before five out and increased her advantage on the approach to the second last, going on to score easily by 30 lengths. After coming in for some market support (25s early, returned 14s), Crowsatedappletart kept on from off the pace to take second under Eoin Walsh, while Duffys Hodey (7/1) was half-a-length back in third. "She lost her form a little bit but loves Clonmel," Dobbs said. "Her jumping had let her down but she now has her confidence and is a real stayer. She doesn't have a real turn of foot at the end of her races but keeps going. "She is out of Premier Victory, who was top class, so that is nice and she likes the very heavy ground. "The ground was very bad along the rail and Kieran (Buckley) said to me that all the chaps are saying the ground is too bad there. However I said to go on it as she goes through it. "It is nice for Fergal Duncan and the syndicate (the Fin & Feather Syndicate) and everybody is excited." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Dixon Line (GB), trained by Adrian Sexton, for failing to present the horse for identification to an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Official in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90 (i). * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Gwan Tadhg, trained by E. J. O'Grady, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Mrs Prunella Dobbs, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Premier Queen, placed first, as compared with its recent run at Cork on the 6th November. Mrs Prunella Dobbs reported that her charge jumped very disappointingly at Cork and furthermore had taken time to regain her form. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
