Wood evokes memories of Butterfly

The beautifully bred Speckled Wood seems to have a decent future, after coasting to victory in the Holy Cross Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Thurles yesterday.

By Epsom Derby hero, High Chaparral, her mother was the high-class Like-A-Butterfly, who died recently of colic.

Ma Belle Amie went on over the third last, but the winner was cantering all over her up the straight and it was only a matter of when Alan Crowe said go. He eased Speckled Wood ahead heading to the final flight and she soon surged clear to score by four and three quarter lengths.