Red-letter day for jockey Phillips aboard Maid On The Moon Hannah Phillips rode her first winner under rules aboard first-reserve Maid On The Moon (20/1) in the mares' handicap hurdle at Leopardstown. She made a bold bid for glory when she sent Maid On The Moon past Influential Lady on the lengthy run to the penultimate obstacle. They winged it nicely clear of a staying-on Glenetty and Goodie Girl and, rounding the home bend, Goodie Girl looked the danger as she was cutting into the deficit. It was all about jumping as Goodie Girl closed up on Maid On The Moon with a yawning gap back to Glenetty. Maid On The Moon jumped it well, however, Goodie Girl took a plunging fall to leave the leader clear. The eight-year-old mare, in first-time blinkers, galloped in by 14 lengths from Glenetty (25/1) with Mount Shenshan (15/2) and Alright Darling (22/1) in third and fourth respectively. Phillips said: “About 9.40 this morning we got a call saying that William McLernon’s mare (Mi Lucky Cailin) was out and we could travel up. We left about half ten and it was tight getting up, but we got here and we’re delighted. “I didn’t want the lead horse (Influential Lady) to get too far away. She was jumping and travelling and I was happy with her. I felt I had a good bit left in the tank, so I said I’d kick on for home as I know she stays. “She doesn’t have a massive turn of foot - she just keeps going, so I was happy to keep going. “She’s been a credit to me. She’s given me some brilliant experiences, riding in a few Graded races and Listed races. I might never get the chance to do that again, so it’s brilliant. “They are very good to let me stay riding her, I seem to get on well with the mare and get a good tune out of her. “Dad (Mick) is very well known. I come from a very racey background - mum and dad were both jockeys, so it was kind of bred into me and I absolutely love it. I started a bit later in life. “I'm based with Tom Keating every day and I’m getting on well.” Phillips won a point-to-point on Maid On The Moon back in October 2023. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
