Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 4:45pm

Athboy horse has his own fan club

Lily Lawlor and her lucky coat with her brothers Paul (left) and Paddy Smith from Rathmore, Athboy following the victory of Dunguib in the Deliotte Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.

There will be an extra interest in the opening race at Cheltenham on Tuesday next around the Athboy area as the favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Dunguib, which won last year's Champion Bumper at the festival, is owned by an Athboy woman living in Tipperary.

Last month at Leopardstown, Lily Lawlor was joined by her friends and family, which included her brothers Paul and Paddy Smith from Rathmore, to see Dunguib shape up for what will be his biggest test to date when he won the Deloitte Hurdle.

Trained in the shadows of historic Slievenamon near Carrick-on-Suir by former champion amateur jockey Philip Fenton, Dunguib is set to be sent off the odds-on favourite to win the race won last year by Noel Meade's Go Native.

There was talk earlier this year that Dunguib might go for the Champion Hurdle also, after he won on his debut over the minor obstacles in a Galway maiden hurdle last October. There followed another win in November at Punchestown before he was a facile winner of the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December.

Consistently partnered by Brian O'Connell, the amateur rider turned professional for that Royal Bond victory and then beat Fionnegas, which is owned by Navan businessman Eamonn Duignan at Leopardstown last month.

Dunguib hardly came off the bridle for that victory and his owner, she owns the seven-year-old jointly with her neighbour Daniel Harnett, is looking forward to next week's big race.

There is no secret about Dunguib's success, the owner explained that she has a lucky coat which will most definitely be worn next Tuesday.

"I have a lucky coat, I actually bought it at Cheltenham a few years ago, Dunguib has always won when I wear it and I won't change that habit at this stage," she told the Meath Chronicle.

The horse was named by 85-year-old Kathleen Lawlor from the townland of Dunguib.

"The lady who named him had a very famous greyhound, Dunguib Lass, many years ago, it's brilliant to have a horse like that, there's some pressure of course, but the horse doesn't know anything about that," she added.

"He has his own fan club now, it was set up by someone from Galway, he gets postcards and letters every day, there might even be a supporters club in Athboy as well.

"Everyone is looking forward to the big race, my brothers and my sister, Nora Kavanagh who lives in Mooneystown, I think we are all going to Cheltenham, hopefully everything will work out and Dunguib will get the Irish off to a flyer and Noel Meade will win the Champion Hurdle with Go Native," she added.

Dunguib is scheduled to travel to Cheltenham on Friday and will be based at trainer Jim Wilson's yard which is close to the track.