Butty O Brien and Eoin Walsh in grey colours win the Navan Handicap Hurdle © Photo Healy Racing
Butty O'Brien showed a real determined attitude when lunging late under Eoin Walsh to get back up to win the Buy Your Navan 2024 Membership Now Handicap Hurdle at the County Meath track.
Keen in the initial stages of the race, Walsh, who rode out his claim here, allowed his mount stride on to take over from Ivar The Boneless half way down the back straight.
The mare kicked on after three out and looked to have the measure of her field approaching the final flight. However, Charlie O'Dwyer conjured up a strong run from topweight Ena Baie who headed Butty O'Brien over 100 yards out.
Despite going half-a-length down, the Patrick Magee trained seven-year-old battled back gallantly at the death to get back up to land the spoils by a short head.
Patrick Magee said “I thought she got a masterclass ride. They went no gallop and I told Eoin to do whatever he wanted, he just dictated it from the front and stole it.
“He got breathers into her everywhere and she jumped everywhere, I thought Eoin was absolutely brilliant and he lost his claim on her there today. To me he's up there with the best.
“She's just been a little bit disappointing. She was second in a maiden hurdle to a good horse of Henry de Bromhead's (Life In The Park) and we thought it was just a matter of finding a race for her then.
“She's had little niggly problems and this is great today.
“Fergal (Harford), who owns her, is a big part of the team and I'm absolutely delighted for them. His dad Pat bred her as well so it's a bit special.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
