The Philip Rothwell trained Ample Appeal landed a 33/1 shock victory in the opening race at Limerick this afternoon, the Student Raceday 29th of March Maiden Hurdle, providing his jockey Andrew Ring with his first racecourse winner.
21 year old Ring, who is from Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny, has already had three winners in point-to-point’s and is based with winning trainer Philip Rothwell.
The winning 6yo son of Craigsteel, who was unruly in the parade ring beforehand, had shown flashes of ability in the past as he finished third in two bumpers and ran well to finish fifth to Snow Spell in a maiden hurdle at Gowran last month.
He disappointed on his last start however finishing a well beaten fifth to Undone when sent off at just 8/1 at Downpatrick earlier this month.
The 15/8 favourite Paul Kristian for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend hit the front four out and still had a chance when crashing out at the second last.
This left the 4/1 shot Busty Brown under John Cullen in front but he couldn’t hold off the challenge of the winner who came from off the pace to lead and assert on the run-in, going on to score by three lengths.
The front pair went seventeen lengths clear of the third place horse who was Ballyadam Approach at 6/1
Winning trainer Philip Rothwell wasn’t present for the win as he is in Navan.
