Trainer sends out first Irish jumps winner in 15 years as Fair Damsel strikes in opener

Dick Brabazon trained his first Irish jumps winner since 2009 when Fair Damsel struck in the opening 2m1f mares' maiden hurdle. 

Although successful on the Flat last year, it had been 15 years since the County Kildare trainer's last jumps winner in Ireland as his sole British runner Toretto scored at Uttoxeter in 2011. 

Brabazon enjoyed a slice of luck on this occasion, with the Shane O'Callaghan-ridden Fair Damsel benefitting from the wide-margin leader Speculatrix falling at the last. 

Fair Damsel, winner of a charity Flat race at the Curragh last month, came home ten lengths clear of Between Friends for her first victory on her third try over hurdles and 14th overall. 

Celebrations for Cromwell 

Gavin Cromwell is never far from the winner's enclosure and he looks to have inherited a useful type in Al Gasparo. The five-year-old was winning for the second time since joining the yard in March and made all under Keith Donoghue for a two-length win in the 2m1f novice hurdle.

Duggan delight

Donncha Duggan celebrated his first winner since September 2019 when the John Shinnick-ridden Doitforjane Sid scored by five lengths in the 2m7f handicap hurdle.

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