Aughnacurraveel overturns Lieutenant

Ardmore, Co Waterford based Garry Ducey, having missed seeing his maiden win as a trainer, was present to cheer home his second career winner, Aughnacurraveel in the Irish Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.

Ducey's father Garrett Ducey had previously held the license until his sudden death last November and when Aughnacurraveel provided Ducey Jnr with his maiden win at Tramore on October 7, Ducey Jnr was not present, having been obliged to attend a trainers' course on the day.

However Ducey was present for Aughnacurraveel's win, under capable amateur rider Mikey O'Connor, today and subsequently stated "I'm delighted with that and being there to see it too makes it more special! He improved a lot since his Tramore win and, having won two point to points, one on barely raceable ground, we knew he'd handle today's going. We may go to Navan in a few weeks time for a Grade 2 novice hurdle."

Odds-on shot First Lieutenant s ride from Davy Russell was always going to attract attention, having stayed on for a never dangerous third, but Russell subsequently confirmed the suspicion that his mount hated today's ground.

He later reported to the Stewards that First Lieutenant "stumbled on the far side, lost his place and was hating the ground thereafter." Closer inspection of First Lieutenant's run confirms Russell's report that his mount did stumble on the back straight.