IRISH challenger Carbon Dating claimed top honours in the inaugural running of the totepool Queen's Cup at Musselburgh. With a total prize fund of £100,000 up for grabs, a strong field of 13 runners assembled for the one-mile, six-furlong contest.

Pat Shanahan's Carbon Dating was a 12/1 shot in the hands of Tadhg O'Shea and, after travelling strongly for much of the journey, he committed for home well over a furlong from home.

While his rivals jostled for position in behind, Shanahan's charge was in the clear and came home comfortably clear of his rivals. Maleficent Queen was a length and a half away in second, half a length ahead of the winner's stable companion The Tartan Spartan, who was ridden by Sam Hitchcott.

Both the Shanahan horses are owned by Thistle Bloodstock Limited and are sired by the stallion The Carbon Unit.

O'Shea said: "All credit to the horse, he's had a busy campaign. He ran all summer last year and went on to Dubai. He won two races out there, was placed in three Carnival handicaps and rounded off in Abu Dhabi being placed in a Group 3.

"He's a model of consistency. It was a great pot and a good bit of placing by Pat Shanahan."