On her twenty second start Ludwigshafen finally shed her maiden tag in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Package Maiden, catching the clear leader, Uncle Eric inside the final furlong, and going away to score by a convincing two and a half lengths under Johnny Murtagh.

At least six to one in the morning and 9/2 into 7/2 on track, the 69-rated five-year-old daughter of Cape Cross obviously had her supporters but trainer John Geoghegan was just delighted to see his charge finally prevail.

He said: "I said before that I'd be surprised if she managed to win one but in fairness she was unlucky a few times and this was a weak enough race. She'll go back handicapping now and we'll see what she can do. It was obviously important to get a bracket with her. Johnny gave her a great ride, that's why he is the top-man." (EM)