Flemensfirth Mare All Heart In Grade 2 Victory

Friday saw Queenohearts (6m Flemensfirth - Chars, by Old Vic) land the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown, the mare’s third black-type success.

Sent off favourite for her Listed win last time out, she stepped up to two and a half miles for the first time, under regular rider Ciaran Gethings. Held up in a field of six, she improved to lead two from home, but was headed at the final hurdle by her nearest market rival Danse Idol. Digging deep, Queenohearts battled back to regain the lead and ran on well to score by two and a quarter lengths.

Winning trainer Stuart Edmunds later commented, “She is entered in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle but there is a Grade 1 in Ireland over two and a half miles two weeks after Cheltenham which is an option.”

Queenohearts is owned by the Sherington Partnership and was bred by S Mullen out of a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Macs Joy.