Odds of 66/1 Mystically belied

A granddaughter of 1996 Galway Hurdle heroine, Mystical City, and carrying the same striking silks, Mysticaltou could be very smart herself judged on her victorious debut at odds of 66/1 in the Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle.

Many will remember After The Ball winning a similar event here at 100/1 back in 2003 and there certainly didn't appear to be any fluke about this huge price winner.

Brian Cawley brought through the sweet travelling five-year-old Shantou filly from off the pace, to go in pursuit of Idontdalaay from the third last.

The Treanrevagh Racing Syndicate-owned and Denis Hogan-trained Mysitcaltou led before the next and went on to beat Tiger Trek by a length and three parts.

Hogan stated: "She has done some nice bits of work at home. I don't have her that long and she's been very free.

"The big worry today was that I didn't know whether she'd settle or not. She's never been to a 'schooler' – never a schooling bumper or hurdle – she's never been outside the yard.

"I told Brian to jump off last – get her settled, hands and heels – whatever happens, happens and we'll take it from there.

"The field came back to Brian and I thought coming across the side we'd be placed and I would have been delighted and we could build on that but it was handed to him for a finish.

"She was entered in a bumper next week at Galway. The plan had been a nice run today and we'd see then about a bumper in Listowel.

"The boys are dead happy now though and we can drive on and find a winners of one or something.

"Gerry (Neary, the breeder) rang me about two months ago and he told me he had a nice filly to send to me so thanks very much to him."

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Neary (also a member of the winning syndicate) said: "Her grand-dam is Mystical City, who I bought out in 1998, and I think the dam (Mystical Memories) might have been even better but things didn't go her way.

"There is just one member of Mystical City's Phantom Syndicate still involved in this syndicate, who are all originally from Galway." (AM & EM)