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- Queen completes double for Murphy
Donal Murphy
Queen completes double for Murphy
Lucky Queen is ridden out by Luke McAteer (red cap) to win the last at Cork
© Photo Healy Racing
The second divide of the Follow Us On Twitter Handicap went the way of Lucky Queen completing a double on the card for Co Kilkenny based trainer Pat Murphy.
A runner-up on just her second start in handicap company at Tipperary in August, the daughter of Aclaim since finished a close fourth at Punchestown on her most recent outing.
Available at 14/1 in early shows, the three-year-old bay eventually went off an 8/1 chance in the colours of owner Mudassar Rafiq.
Always towards the head of affairs under Luke McAteer, she held a definite advantage from the two furlong pole and was ridden with just over a furlong left to race.
Her advantage was reduced in the closing stages, with half-a-length the margin of victory.
Recent Gowran winner Miracles In May was sent off the 11/2 favourite and while he finished strongly, he ultimately had to settle for second under Ben Coen.
The well-backed Facethepuckout (25s to 13/2) came from the clouds to take third, while Pallasmore Lass (17/2) was fourth.
Murphy, who earlier struck with Crafty Irish, said: "That is a great result for Mudassar Rafiq (winning owner) and the lads as it is a family owned winner. They are from Pakistan and are mad into racing.
"She has been knocking on the door for a while and the step up in trip, with the juice in the ground helped her out. Hopefully she will get confidence from that."
STEWARDS REPORTS
J.A. Powell, rider of Peppermint Bay trained by John James Feane, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his saddle slipped in running.
J.J.G. Ryan, rider of Manhattan Dandy trained by Thomas Coyle, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jinked at the outside rail passing the fence.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes