Ask Heather and Donagh Meyler lead over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Donagh Meyler completed a quickfire 14/1 double at Clonmel as Ask Heather defied top-weight in the Coral Double Your Winnings First Race Every Day Handicap Hurdle.
Meyler was on the mark just over half-an-hour earlier when Reine Fee came out best in a keenly fought three-way finish to the mares handicap hurdle but had an easier time here.
Ask Heather travelled well to challenge in the straight, and the well-backed 9/2 chance struck the front approaching the final flight.
The Declan Queally-trained mare, who completed a hat-trick in point-to-points when Mikey Sweeney made a miraculous recovery from a last fence blunder at Boulta earlier this year, was just pushed out on the run-in to score by three lengths. Young Dev edged out Jennys Grey by a head for the runner-up spot, with Glenmalure Lodge completing the places in fourth.
Queally's son and namesake said, "She did very well point to pointing and her mark looked favourable and the three miles at this level suited. She is in again at Leopardstown on Monday so we'll see how she is.
"She jumped a little novicey early on the last day and stayed on but got underneath the last fence. Donagh was delighted with her though and we said after the fall that we'd take the safe option and go back over hurdles, as the owner wants her as a broodmare.
"Fair play to Donagh as it was a nice ride and he is very under-rated."
(TW & AM)
