Misty Millie and Danny Hand pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Misty Millie sprang a 16/1 surprise in the Your Fundraiser At Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Danny Hand for trainer Garvan Donnelly.
A close-up fourth at Down Royal on St Stephen's Day, the daughter of Dylan Thomas disappointed on her two starts since.
Previously successful on the level for Pat Cluskey, she was settled in rear today, making steady progress from the fifth last.
She moved into fifth as they entered the straight, and cruised through to lead before the final flight, keeping on well on the run-in to score snugly by three parts of a length. Urbanist (3/1jfav) finished second under Eamonn Corbett for Shane Nolan, while the well-supported Trans Wood (8/1 from 20s in early shows) was another three and three parts of a length back in third with Ricky Doyle aboard for Gordon Doyle. I'm Serious was the other joint-favourite and he finished a very disappointing tenth under Andrew Ring for Denis Hogan.
"It's nice to get one before next week when Willie and Gordon go to war!" said Donnelly.
"I fancied her with the ground drying up. It's hard for those flat-bred mares when it's really heavy ground.
"She had a good run in Down Royal and I expected her to do something like that, it looked an ideal grade.
"Hopefully she'll progress and she'll mix it between the Flat and jumps. She's in at Limerick (on Saturday) but I doubt she'll get in as she's nine in the ballot.
"She was very highly rated on the flat after winning a Navan maiden and she ran alright in a Guineas trial.
"She loves jumping and is a genuine filly. Her owner (Michael O'Neill) is in the Canaries and he never misses a day, as he absolutely loves her. Hopefully he got to watch it."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
