Buildmeupbuttercup lays solid Irish foundations with Navan win

English owner John Turner’s great old marathon greyhound campaigner Jaytee Patriot finished well for third in a big stake at Shelbourne Park last night but his Buildmeupbuttercup (2/1) managed a couple of places better in the first at Navan.

Beginning for Willie Mullins, the Sixties Icon filly eventually held off the rallying pace-setter Dancing On My Own by half a length after putting her stamp on this Kells Maiden Hurdle from before the last.

Paul Townend was in the plate, and that puts him level with Dancing On My Own’s jockey, Rachael Blackmore, on 62-winners apiece at the top of the 2018/19 jump jockey’s championship.

Buildmeupbuttercup won two bumpers when under Mick Channon’s tutelage before finishing fifth to Getaway Katie Mai at Aintree.

The chestnut was then tried on the level before being re-located to Ireland and Townend reported: “She travelled great to the last and was getting tired but I was in front plenty soon enough. It’s a long way from the last to the line here but I never felt like I was going to be passed. The 7lb we were getting probably helped.

“She’s a classy filly and can only build on that as she is very novicey. She has plenty of boot and I wouldn’t say she wants to go beyond two miles.”    

L.P. Gilligan, rider of I'm Charlie trained by Eoin Griffin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the fourth last and pulled up thereafter.

Michael G. Kennedy, trainer of Eclat Du Large (FR), reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge pulled a right fore shoe in running.

The Stewards fined Niall Madden, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Dawson's Cottage, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.

The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Dawson's Cottage in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90.

(AM & EM)