Butter Fingers clears the last under Lee Shanahan© Photo Healy Racing
The Ross O'Sullivan-trained Butter Fingers routed the opposition in the opener at Tipperary this evening, the Donohue Marquees 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.
With all 10 runners starting off over flights in this two-mile affair, the grey victor was soon settled in mid-division by amateur rider Lee Shanahan.
Without a win in five starts on the level when trained by Mick Mulvany, the Tommy Ward-owned victor improved into third approaching three out and travelled best to lead before the next.
The Tough As Nails gelding quickly increased his advantage and kept up the gallop all the way to the line, coming home 29-lengths to the good.
Sent off the 6/4 favourite, Inspire Hope couldn't match the winner from before two out and had to settle for second under JJ Slevin, while Solar Falcon (20/1) was a length away in third.
"I've been with Ross the last six years and that’s my seventh winner but my first against the pros," Shanahan, who is a native of Tallaght, revealed.
"He was green going to the last left on his own, but did it well and is a horse to look forward to.
"I've done all the schooling with him and was delighted to get the leg over him.
"Ross is a sound fella to work for and will give you any opportunity he can."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
