Arch Enemy, far side, pips Butterfly Garden© Photo Healy Racing
Arch Enemy weaved her way through to nail Butterfly Garden on the line in Ballinrobe to give Jake Coen a double.
Butterfly Garden looked to have made her winning move as she hit the front approaching the straight.
She soon went for home but was strongly pressed in the final furlong by Arch Enemy who got up on the line by a short head. She was returned 10/3 joint favourite from the 12/1 runner-up who was making her handicap debut. Easky Maid (66/1) ran on for third from an unpromising position.
Trainer Patrick Magee said: “She’s been unlucky a few times, including under this young lad, but we stuck with him and I’m delighted for him as well. He’s a brilliant young kid and he was excellent on her there, got all the gaps and produced her on the line.
“He was good on her the last day as well (when hampered at Leopardstown) because he just coasted home when he knew the race was over and he told us to go again with her.
“She’s only small. We bought her with the idea of maybe going three-year-old hurdling and she has schooled over hurdles already so we’ll see.
“The horses are all running well and we had one that was only beaten five lengths in a bumper last week. Once they’re healthy and well I’m happy and we’ll keep tipping away with them.”
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
