Lady beats Queen to open account over hurdles

On just her second start for trainer Peter Fahey, Andalucia Lady opened her account over hurdles as she took the Pyramid Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle under Shane Butler.

The 8yo daughter of Lend A Hand has been on the go since she was a 2yo and won her maiden on the level on just her second start over seven furlongs over the course in July of 2006 for John Geoghegan.

She won another on the level for Geoghegan before moving on to Willie McCreery.

She won one for McCreery on the level but disappointed on five attempts over hurdles.

Back over hurdles this evening for the first time in over a year, she made progress from before four out and hit the front at the third last.

She was strongly pressed and joined at the next but she regained the lead on the run-in and stayed on well from there to just hold on from the fast finishing Queen Of Hardship (9/1) in second for double seeking Cecil Ross with Barry Cash in the saddle.

The Philip Rothwell trained In The Haven stayed on well to take third, a further length and three parts back under Paul Townend at 5/1 while the 4/1 favourite Simon Says could only manage a disappointing ninth under Mark Enright for John Ryan.

The gamble of the race was Garryglass for the double seeking pair of Emmet and Eric McNamara but he faded out of contention turning into the straight and finished tenth of the eleven runners, having been backed from his morning price of 11/1 and his opening show on-course of 7/1 into his starting price of 9/2.

Winning trainer Peter Fahey said afterwards: "When I saw the small field I decided to let her take her chance.

"She had a lovely run at Gowran last week (sixth behind Apache Gold on the level). She is owned and bred by my brother Michael. She won here as a 2yo. Michael bought her back off Willie McCreery for breeding as he has all the family.

"She had tendon trouble but we decided to give her a try when the leg was good. She travelled really well today."

(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)