Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- irishracing.com
- Punchestown
- News
- Butler pounces late on Lanna
Gary Carson
Butler pounces late on Lanna
Derrinlanna pounced on the run-in to grab the spoils in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel. Lock Mor Lad looked to have done enough, in the two-and-a-half mile contest, when leading into the straight and establishing a couple of lengths advantage before the final flight.
Shane Butler got a good tune from Derrinlanna after the last, however, getting the Presenting mare to the front for a length success.
It was a first win for Peter Fahey's charge since she landed her bumper at Wexford in May 2009.
"We had her leased out to a syndicate in Burkes Pub but we had kind of given up on her," revealed Fahey.
"We knew she had ability as she won a bumper (for Conor O'Dwyer) but she fell once (at Killarney in July) and it went a bit pear shaped afterwards.
"She was in the yard and is a grand quiet mare so we decided to run her in a charity race.
"She was ridden by a Guard, Richard Cullen, who rides out in the yard and she ran a cracker in that so we gave her a second chance.
"It's a bit of a shock to win today. She is owned now by my wife Bernadette and that's her first winner over jumps."
9/2 joint favourites Tornant (12th) and Shela House (last of 14 finishers) disappointed and the later was coughing post race.