Like-a-Butterfly powers to victory
"I don't know what to say what a race," he exclaimed after seeing the Charlie Swan ridden Like-A-Butterfly get the better of the great Limestone Lad in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown yesterday.
Limestone Lad may have failed to add winner number 36 to his extraordinary portfolio, but emerged from this titanic tussle with reputation enhanced.
He slugged it out toe-to-toe from the final flight with the mighty mare and it was a contest which saw the crowd still applauding long after the pair had crossed the line.
For Roche it was a quite magnificent training feat to produce
J P McManus' daughter of Montelimar to win on her first outing of the
season.
Paddy Power reacted by making Like-A-Butterfly a 6-1 shot, from 16s, for the Champion Hurdle. Only Rooster Booster (9-2) and Intersky Falcon (5-1) are in front of her in their market. The same firm offer Limestone Lad as 9-4 favourite for the Stayers' Hurdle, in front of Baracouda (5-2) and Bannow Bay (11-2).
Cashmans were more generous about Like-A-Butterfly, however. They only tightened her two points, 8-1 from 10s, and have Limestone Lad second favourite for the Stayers (5-2), behind Baracouda (9-4).
Limestone Lad powered into the lead from the start, but it was always going to be a struggle for him over this totally inadequate two miles and Barry Geraghty began to push coming away from the third last.
Scottish Memories was the first of the fancied horses to crack and it was soon a two-horse war.
Like-A-Butterfly was still about two lengths down jumping two out, but heading to the home turn Swan seemed to be oozing confidence. He had a quick look behind to assess the situation and realised nothing was going to come from that quarter. They were in the air together at the final flight and then it was a battle royal.
Like-A-Butterfly took about a neck lead half-way up the run in, but, quickly, Barry Geraghty threw everything at his gallant partner. Inch by inch, Limestone Lad roared back and there was little or nothing between them 10 strides out.
Swan, still riding at his very best and enjoying his sixth AIG success, asked for one last, lung-bursting effort from Like-A-Butterfly. She didn't let him down and was a head to the good at the only place it matters. The pilot, who knows precisely what is required to win a Champion Hurdle, having won it three times aboard Istabraq, was quizzed as to her prospects.
"Given cut in the ground, she would have a big chance," responded Swan. "She was very quick for a big mare, the two of us picked up again on the run in."
Roche was ecstatic at the display, as he awaited a call from McManus, who is in Barbados.
"She's so genuine and just loves to win," remarked Roche. "She had to be genuine to get by that fellow. She came here without a competitive race and my one worry was that she would fold in the last half furlong. That was a big disadvantage taking on Limestone Lad.
"But it couldn't be helped. I trusted what I knew about her. She wasn't right before Christmas, but has been much better since.
"Future plans will, of course, be discussed, but I would say it is unlikely she will run again before Cheltenham."
Michael Bowe had the most unusual experience of having to settle for the number two berth with Limestone Lad, but said he was in no way disappointed.
"He had to jump much quicker than normal today and that will sharpen him up," he said. "I am absolutely
delighted. Conditions were all against him, but he's such a fighter and never knows when he's beaten.
"This was good for him and it will be straight to the Boyne Hurdle at Navan now.
He's better than ever."
