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Fahey's favourite wins easily under O'Sullivan

Butterflyvespiere and James O'Sullivan (right) challenge Hanoi Girl at the last 
Butterflyvespiere and James O'Sullivan (right) challenge Hanoi Girl at the last
© Photo Healy Racing

The 11/10 favourite Butterflyvespiere ran out an easy winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

The French-bred 5-year-old tracked the leaders and travelled well throughout before challenging the long-time leader Hanoi Jane at the final flight.

Leading early on the run-in, the Peter Fahey-trained mare went away to account for second home Optional Mix 4/1) by 12 lengths with Hanoi Jane (3/1) finishing a further three quarters of a length away in third.

The winner was getting off the mark on her fourth start over hurdles having been runner-up at Wexford last month.

Winning rider James O'Sullivan said: "She did (travel into the race well on that ground) and she was the one to pick out of the race.

"I just maybe thought going away from the stands she was a little bit lazy in herself. She is the sort of mare I think would get a little bit further in time.

"From the back of the last she picked up well and did it nicely. She jumped brilliantly the whole way and she travelled, so hopefully there is another couple of days in her. An exciting mare going forward.

"The ground was barely on the slow side of good I'd say. There's no jar in it but it is good ground."

Quotes from Michael Graham

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.