QUEEN Alphabet's quality shone through as she led her rivals a merry dance in the Vaughanshoes.ie EBF Fillies Handicap at Ballinrobe.

Peter Fahey's smart hurdler was below par on her chasing debut last week but seemed much happier in this sphere and dictated terms to suit herself.

The 3-1 favourite had plenty in the tank to stretch away when Pat Smullen asked her to go and win her race and although Little Stampy emerged from the pack, she never looked like getting to Queen Alphabet, who was a length and a half too good.

Fahey said: "Pat was very good - he knows her better than I do at this stage and gave her a brilliant ride. He saw that there was no pace and then steadied it up completely in front.

"We probably made too much use of her at Wexford the last day but she is a very consistent mare and will tip away whenever the ground is good. There are plenty of options for her - she could go for a 0-90 Flat handicap at Bellewstown next or the Ladies' Derby at the Curragh on Oaks weekend, or else back over hurdles."

MAIDEN SUCCESS

Motherland could make up into a decent stayer judging by his impressive triumph in the Vaughanshoes.ie EBF Maiden.

Donnacha O'Brien set sail for home a quarter of a mile from the finish on the 5-4 market leader and the further he went, the better he went, and he passed the post a comfortable seven lengths ahead of Sea Of Mystery.

The winning jockey, riding for his brother Joseph, said: "He's a lovely horse - he's out of a good sprinter but he relaxes so well and has a good attitude and it means he has a turn of foot over that distance. He could make a nice stayer and is taking his racing well."

Knockmaole Boy has been consistent in defeat during his brief career and registered a deserved breakthrough success in the Vaughanshoes.ie Kate Appleby Apprentice Handicap. The 4-1 chance was always prominent and once kicking into a clear lead rounding the turn, then held Aimhirgin Lass by three-quarters of a length.

English Pale was clear on official ratings of his Vaughanshoes.ie Clarks Claiming Maiden rivals but had to work hard to justify 6-4 favouritism.

Jessie Harrington's gelding was coaxed into the lead rounding the turn by Colm O'Donoghue, who certainly earned his fee and pushed him out to a four-and-a-half-length defeat of Lady Argentum.

Harrington and O'Donoghue doubled up when Escape Paradise ran out a comprehensive winner of the Vaughanshoes.ie Jennings Meats Handicap at odds of 10-1.

There were plenty in with chances heading into the business end of the Vaughanshoes.ie Ecco Handicap, but the gaps came in time for Highland Fling (8-1) and he burst through to break his duck.

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