Tangental wears down Oscer Romero© Photo Healy Racing
Following on from 80/1 The Brimming Water earlier on the card, Tangental ran on well to get up at 50/1 (from 80/1) at Fairyhouse.
The five-year-old Fame And Glory gelding made eye-catching headway under JJ Slevin after three out in this two and half mile handicap hurdle (first division), and had the leader Oscer Romero and Hugh Morgan in their sights at the next.
Oscer Romero led over the last by which stage Tangental had worked his way into second. There was over a length between the pair on the run-in as both jockeys got into the drive position.
As racecourse commentator Jerry Hannon noted, Oscer Romero (12/1) was all out in his quest for the winning post but it Tangental who came home best to grab him close home.
The winning distance was three parts of a length. Get Phar (15/2) was six lengths back in third.
Slevin said of Michael Butler's horse: "It was a bit of a surprise. I rode him once before in Tramore and rode him quite prominent over two miles and he travelled and jumped well that day.
“He coped with that ground well and when I asked him he took off and did the job well. He might be able to win another one and he’ll jump a fence in the summer time.”
This was Butler's first winner since August 2018.
The Stewards requested a report from Michael Butler, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Tangental, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The Trainer's Authorised Representative, Michael Holden, reported that this horse ran poorly on very testing ground last time. He had been given a four month break since then and has come back a lot stronger and fresher. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
