QUEEN ANNIE FULFILS PROMISE WITH WIN

Queen Annie fulfilled the promise of her debut for us with a narrow success in the second division of the bumper at Chepstow on Thursday 23 March in testing conditions.

A full sister to the useful Bonttay, she finished runner up in her second Point-to-Point in Ireland, after which she was bought for us by Kevin Ross Bloodstock. She is the first horse to run in the colours of John McGeady Ltd and should develop into a nice staying novice over hurdles next season.

Queen Annie ran very well for a long way when fourth at Uttoxeter on New Year’s Eve.She has progressed since then, enjoyed the ground at Chepstow and was given a positive ride by Ben Bromley. But having looked all over the winner she began to idle in front, put the brakes on through inexperience and almost threw the race away as she was headed by Tintagel Queen late on.

Queen Annie then rallied in the nick of time and gained the verdict in the tightest of photo finishes to take our strike rate in bumpers this season to over 30%. We’ll see how she comes out of the race but will probably put her away now before an autumn campaign over hurdles.