Steady Ed too good for The Crafty Butcher

For the second time in succession The Crafty Butcher let down odds-on supporters as 20/1 shot Steady Ed took the Winter Wonderland Maiden Hurdle under Brian O’Connell for John Joe Walsh.

The Crafty Butcher finished second at Cork last Sunday when sent off the 9/10 favourite and sent off the 4/7 favourite this afternoon he again filled the runner-up spot under Adrian Heskin for Michael Hourigan.

Steady Ed tracked leaders in fourth early on and was third before three out.

He was ridden to challenge entering straight and hit the front approaching the second last.

He asserted from before the last and was driven out from there to score by five and a half lengths from The Crafty Butcher in second.

The front duo were thirty five lengths clear of the third placed horse who was Futuramic at 7/2 (backed from 5/1 on-course) under Keith Donoghue for Andrew Lynch.

The winning 8yo son of Anshan was recording his first track success this afternoon on his eleventh attempt.

He had won a point-to-point at Lisronagh back in December of 2011.

Winning trainer John Joe Walsh said afterwards: "He loved that ground and he won his point-to-point on it.

"He is a big galloping horse who jumps and stays. He will go back handicap chasing now.

"He is 18 hands high and we had to give him time to mature.

"Mullingar man Tommy Tynan owns him and it is his first success."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)