Wood Lily sprang a 16/1 surprise when upsetting 4/7 favourite Gift Of Dgab in the opening New Year Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.

Wood Lily, under 5lbs claimer Mark Bolger, responded well to pressure in the straight, eventually passing Gift Of Dgab at the final flight, recording a comfortable win over the ‘jolly’.

Afterwards winning trainer Jessica Harrington joked “that’s a great way to start the New Year and get rid of the hangover!”

She added “Wood Lily is a beautifully bred mare and is out of a half-sister to Best Mate. She disappointed in bumpers when, like all bumpers, they race on the worst of the ground. I decided to run her in a maiden hurdle to give her a chance to race on the better ground and she jumped super and I’m delighted with her!”

Thomas Weekes