Philip Dempsey’s Kilkeaskins First left behind some awful form figures when landing a tidy, big-priced gamble and a debut win at Fairyhouse today, in the Book Easter Festival Tickets Handicap Hurdle (div 2) under the trainer/owner’s son Luke Dempsey.

Kilkeaskins First’s previous form figures read ‘P0P-0000’ but, on his second handicap appearance, attracted late market support from 33/1 to 14s, which in the end proved inspired. In the race, the son of Mountain High battled gamely to shake off the challenge of Wee Small Hours from the second last flight, to score a length and three parts win.

Dempsey senior later revealed “he has been a bit disappointing but his work has always been good. He will go for something similar the next time.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee