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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Ludo springs 50/1 shock for Lee/Ferris

Thu 15th Dec 2011, 13:52

Ludo Et Emergo caused a major shock when scoring at odds of 50/1 on his debut in the Xmas Voucher Gowran Golf Shop Maiden Hurdle to provide a welcome change of luck for both trainer Andrew Lee and rider Martin Ferris.

Lee, who trains near Cloyne in Co. Cork, had been without a winner since All Sorts Star won a handicap hurdle at Killarney in July 2008, while Ferris was also ending a five months spell without success.

However there didn't appear any fluke about the result as the Needle Gun gelding, who paid €604.40 on the Tote, made most of the running.

He jumped well for Ferris before asserting from the final flight to beat Don Leone (6/1) by two and three quarter lengths.

The 7/4 favourite Tabhachtach was never far from the pace but could find no extra to finish another four and a half lengths back in third.

Lee said, “That was great and I'm delighted he's won for lovely owners. He'll go for a novice hurdle in about a month to six weeks time.

“I thought he'd run well but he slightly surprised me. It's a nice early Christmas present.”

The four-year-old gelding carries the colours of Dr Maria Hinfelaar, a former Dutch professional cyclist and now President of Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT).

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.