Trainer Denis Hogan© Photo Healy Racing
Shane Mulcahy enjoyed a red letter day at Bellewstown as Mister Butler gave him his first win in the saddle when taking the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Mulcahy produced the Denis Hogan-trained gelding to lead going to the third last in the two-and-a-half mile contest.
The 16/1 shot galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a two-and-three-quarter-length success over Damut I'm Out
“This was great for the owners and for the jockey, as it was his first winner and it's John and Geraldine O'Mahony's first winner with me,” said Hogan.
“To be fair they persevered with this horse when others would have given up.
“Shane does all the hard work with him at home and he's a very hard worked so I'm delighted to give him his first winner.
“He's threatened to do that during the winter on heavy ground and he's never had kind ground like this on any of his starts.
“He fell in a beginners chase the last day at Wexford against better horses and we were just hoping that didn't dent his confidence so we brought him back to a hurdle.
“All credit to Shane and to John and Geraldine for keeping him in training when they could have pulled the pin.”