Thirteenth time lucky for outsider Tic Back In A Tic sprang a 25/1 surprise in the second race on today's card at Fairyhouse, the ITBA Fillies Scheme Novice Hurdle, for her Bagenalstown, Co Carlow trainer Colin Kidd with Sean McDermott aboard. On what was her thirteenth career start the daughter of Flemensfirth was losing her maiden tag in the process of winning this valuable Novice Hurdle. 7/2 shot Shadow Eile and the 3/1 favourite Sligo Publican set a strong pace from the front while the winner was waited with towards the rear. The front-running pair both tired as they entered the straight with the winner coming through to lead before the last, going on to score by a comfortable three lengths at the line. The Bill Harney trained, Bryan Cooper ridden Flaming Pop stayed on to take second at 6/1 while Shadow Eile kept going for third a further two and a quarter lengths back under Ciaran Murphy. The aforementioned favourite Sligo Publican for John Joe Walsh and Philip Enright faded badly and was pulled up before the second last. Winning trainer Colin Kidd said afterwards: "She is owned by my mother Amy. She has been hitting the crossbar a few times and was second to the good Gigginstown horse Sea Of Thunder at Thurles. "She is a half-sister to Back Of The Pack (seven time winner, including a Grade 3 Chase). "She will probably go for a Listed Mares Novice Hurdle at Limerick now over St Patrick’s weekend. She is entitled to have a crack at it. "She is going to improve as she is a big, gangly mare. "We freshened her up (hasn't run since November) and it seems to have done the trick."
