Like-A-Butterfly out for the season
This was revealed by her trainer, Christy Roche, at Thurles yesterday. Said Roche: "She gave herself a bang and has a tendon problem. It is unfortnate, but means she will miss the whole campaign.”
The powerful nine-year-old landed a massive gamble at Cheltenham last year, when taking the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in the hands of Charlie Swan.
A tremendous performance in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January, where she beat Limestone Lad by a head, raised hopes of doing the business in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. But, on a surface too quick for her, Like-A-Butterfly could only manage to finish tenth behind the impressive Rooster Booster.
Her last run saw her take a creditable third behind Sacundai and Rooster Booster in the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle at Liverpool in April. Roche had planned to send her over fences this season.
Meanwhile, Rhinestone Cowboy could reappear in the Victor Chandler Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 13. On his final start last season Jonjo O’Neill’s exciting seven-year-old finished third to Rooster Booster in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. Connections of the gelding are desperate for rain but his trainer said: “We’ll be in a better position to map out a plan when it rains but at the moment we are keen to bring him back in the Bula.”
No decision has been taken as to who will replace the retired Norman Williamson as Rhinestone Cowboy’s jockey.
