Like-A-Butterfly triumphs at Leopardstown

Like-A-Butterfly just got up in the shadow of the post to land today's feature event at Leopardstown - the Grade One AIG Europe Champion Hurdle.

Limestone Lad cut out all the early running but turning for home Charlie Swan looked to be sitting pretty on the Christy Roche-trained mare, who was sent off the 6-4 favourite.

Approaching the last it seemed that Limestone Lad was spent, but Barry Geraghty conjured a final effort out the game gelding and the pair ran neck for neck.

However, Swan had a little bit in reserve and after being headed Like-A-Butterfly produced a final kick to get through by a head, while Stage Affair toiled some way back in third.

Connections had to survive a stewards’ inquiry after there seemed to be some contact between the pair on the run in, but the nine-year-old mare was eventually confirmed the winner.