Butch Cassidy (nearest) fends off Swingin Safari © Photo Healy Racing
Philip Fenton has a lovely young horse on his hands in Butch Cassidy who justified 9/4 favouritism in the John Madden & Sons INH Flat Race.
A half-brother to the Champion Bumper winner Fayonagh, the Walk In The Park gelding cost 140,000 Euros at last year's Derby Sale at Tattersalls and carries the colours of Mrs John Magnier.
Always close to the pace under Eoin O'Brien, he hit the front inside the final quarter-mile but was strongly pressed in the straight by Swingin Safari before finding a bit more in the closing stages to thwart that rival by half a length.
"He's a nice horse and I'd say there's a lot of improvement to come," said Fenton.
"He's a beautiful-looking horse, a big chaser in the making and he has lots of fences jumped which is a big help.
"He was good and genuine there when challenged and I spoke with Sam (Curling, trainer of Swingin Safari) earlier on and he liked his horse. I was liking my fella too, but it just goes to show you that you never have anything up your sleeve."
"We'll take our time with him and hopefully he's a nice prospect for us."
