Madeleine Tylicki with First To Boogie© Photo Healy Racing
First To Boogie landed a gamble when staying on stoutly to take the two mile six handicap hurdle in Punchestown.
The eight-year-old gelding is trained by Madeleine Tylicki, sister of Freddy Tylicki who suffered life-changing injuries in a recent fall at Kempton.
This was her first success in the training ranks.
First To Boogie opened at 3/1 and was heavily backed down to 6/4 favourite, with Davy Russell in the plate for the first time.
The pair were always prominent in fourth behind the leader El Vasco and Ruby Walsh.
The fog had worsened to further reduce visibility but when the field came back into view, after jumping the last, First To Boogie had grabbed the lead and thundered home to provide a popular win.
The winning margin was two and a quarter lengths from Lasoscar (14/1). Tellthemnuttin (10/1) and Clontarf (12/1) completed the placings in this 17-runner contest.
“It's my first winner and a very special one obviously. It will put a smile on the family’s face again so I’m absolutely delighted,” Madeleine Tylicki said.
“He’s a lovely horse. We’ll take him home, freshen him up again and make a plan then. All going well he’ll have a bright future.
“Today was the plan and it worked out. Luck was on our side and it was great for Freddy. He rang me straight away after the race and he was absolutely delighted. It's a very special day right now.
"I got the licence in June. We have a nice team of horses, young horses at home ready for next year so plenty to look forward to. I'm based 15 minutes from here.
"I'm very grateful for the support and the messages, it is very uplifting for Freddy. He's very thankful. It's only three weeks tomorrow (since Freddy's fall). It's a tough time. He's a very determined, tough, young man and he has shown that in his career as a jockey. I'm absolutely confident that he will fight through this."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
