Landmark winner for Duggan with Fresh Appeal

Michelle Duggan sent out her first winner under rules as Fresh Appeal recorded a 33/1 shock in the Cloneen Mares Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

Duggan is based at Lombardstown near Mallow and won a mares’ maiden point-to-point with the daughter of Mahler at Boulta before Christmas.

The five-year-old was soundly beaten on her debut under rules the following month in a Limerick maiden hurdle but put that experience to good use here.

Lorvon Pearl looked set to justify 5/4 favouritism when leading approaching the last but met that flight all wrong and was soon headed by Fresh Appeal.

Phillip Enright ’s mount stayed on well in the closing stages to beat the favourite by a length, with Arbor Vitae another length and three quarters away in third.

Enright said, "She ran a nice race on her first run over hurdles at Limerick when the ground was very tough. Coming here today we were hoping the ground might slow them down because she wants further. She jumps great and won her point to point in Boulta.

"Jumping the second last you'd think I had no chance but she kept plugging away and got a good jump at the last.

"It is great to ride a winner for Michelle. Years ago Michelle used to work for Gerry Cully and Eugene O'Sullivan and Padraig, her partner, also worked for Eugene. I'd know them for years and am delighted to ride a winner for them.

"Padraig is here on lead-up duty and Michelle is at home looking after the string."

(TW & AM)