Lesser fancied stablemate wins at Dundalk Market-drifter and apparent stable-second-string Queen Leila (7s — 12/1) caused an upset to win Dundalk’s New Saddle Bar At Dundalk Stadium Handicap for Derry trainer Noel Kelly today, making the running as a gambled stablemate failed to fire. Queen Leila had managed just one second-placing from nine previous runs and today was very weak in the market, as money arrived for lowly-rated stablemate Keston (11s — 4/1jf). In the race, Queen Leila, under Shane Kelly (no relation of the winning trainer) set the pace but while gambled Keston failing to settle and finished eighth, the all-the-way winner ‘struck for the integrity of the sport’ in beating Beau Army by 1.5 lengths. Trainer Kelly explained "I don’t know where the money came from for Keskon, it wasn’t my money anyway, and she (Queen Leila) had the better form here and was placed here the last day. We always thought she was a mile horse, we stepped her up today and she did her job. "She was second here one day in the past when she ran a clinker but just bumped into one. We said to Shane (Kelly) to jump out today, go handy, and do whatever you want to. She probably stole the race a wee bit. “It was a very moderate race, to be fair, it was as moderate as you get around Dundalk at this time of year. If you won a race at all, you almost wouldn't be in this 0-60. She's a very genuine wee filly, put her head down and galloped through the line. “If you come to Dundalk, you need something genuine. If you are feeling a joint or sore at all, you'll not gallop through Dundalk. She's as genuine as you get. "You will probably see her on the turf through the summer, there will be plenty of days with her. She's no star, but she will win races." Quotes from Michael Graham
