Dramatic opener at Wexford goes to 80/1 shot Buttevant Lady

Division one of the Loch Garman Mares Maiden Hurdle at Wexford was dramatic to say the least. At odds of 80/1 Buttevant Lady eventually took the spoils.

It could have been different if pace-setter Positive Outlook still out in a clear lead, hadn’t broken down after the third last flight. Unfortunately she was a fatality.

Favourite Villa Moura had fallen at the previous obstacle and the Tim Townend-trained and Ricky Doyle-ridden Buttevant Lady looked held though chasing the principals approaching the straight.

However Kaletto rsquo;s finishing effort was decidedly weak.

On racecourse debut after achieving nothing in point-to-points, Buttevant Lady finished best up the run-in to beat Hello Pilgrim by a length and a quarter.

The aforementioned Kaletto (16s into 9s) was three parts of a length back in third.

"The owner (John Hutch) had a tenner each-way on her at 100/1," revealed Townend.

"She disappointed in two point-to-points on bad ground.

"She had a little wind operation and that seems to have worked.

"Her dam is a full-sister to Synchronised and is by Sadler's Wells.

"It's great to get a win with her, she wasn't worth anything beforehand and now she is worth a couple of pounds."

The Stewards fined T. Donohue, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Never Walk Alone, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Never Walk Alone in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90.

(DM & EM)