Country Queen & Davy Russell (right) get up to beat Carrarea and Danny Mullins © Photo Healy Racing
Country Queen lunged late to land the spoils in the Pat Doyle Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Kilbeggan for Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott.
The daughter of Yeats had been a faller on her previous outing at Galway having won a bumper at Bellewstown previously.
She was held up behind the tearaway leader Will You Win today and was under pressure in third jumping the last as 10/11 favourite Carrrarea gained a narrow lead over High City Roller
The 9/2 shot (8/1 in morning) stormed home on the run-in to get up for a neck victory in the last strides.
Russell said:- “We went quite quick, when she won her bumper she ran a bit similar and was a bit behind the bridle but she jumped great.
“I had a couple of opportunities to go but I said I'd wait and took the chance that I'd try and get them as late as possible.
“Holly that led her up told me that she's very idle when she's in front. I kept pulling in behind Danny (Mullins on Carrarea and just waited to have one go at her. She was brave.
“She was very accurate at her hurdles, it was great that I was able to ride that race and make a little bit of ground when I needed to.
“We jumped off and went quick, I kind of threw the reins down her neck and took a couple of chances. That's the beauty of riding for Gordon, he lets you take those chances and doesn't give give out too much!”
