Butch might have tested the nerves of his joint owner Max McNeill but showed the heart of lion when valiantly rallying back in the closing strides to secure a second success of the campaign in the William Hill Epic Weekend Free Bet Novices’ Hurdle on day two of The Showcase at Cheltenham today.
Having appeared to appreciate the step up to an extended three miles at Southwell on his most recent start the Olly Murphy-trained six-year-old once again showed his appetite for a stamina test when adding to that victory under a determined Sean Bowen.
Setting his own fractions out in front the 3-1 chance kicked again rounding the home turn to hold a slender advantage on jumping the last, however despite holding a lead on the run in the race was far from over.
As 9-4 favourite Antrim Coast forged past inside the final furlong it looked as though Butch was going to have all his hard work undone, but with one final effort the Kayf Tara gelding found extra to get back almost on the line and score by a neck.
Max McNeill, of joint owners the McNeill Family, said: “I was so nervous, and I thought we got beat. To be fair to Antrim Coast I thought he had got past us.
“Sean gave him a fantastic ride and he just had that little bit extra. We were the only one to have gone over three miles and I think that told in the end.
“I think they are two good horses (that finished first and second), and we were giving the runner up three pounds. Where we go next will be interesting.
“Credit goes to Olly and the team because last season this horse wasn’t right. Credit to Helen (Ralston, joint owner), who I own the horse with, as this horse had ringworm and ulcers. He had everything.
“It is very difficult for a new owner when he was seventh out of ten at Chepstow to say he will be good, but she has stuck with us.
“We love coming here and the horse has proven he is and out and out stayer and that is why we wanted to make it a test today. To be fair to Sean he was fantastic and he read the script well.
“To have a horse like this is great.”
