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Subscribe to RSS Feed 33-1 cabin strikes for jonjo
Butler's Cabin (right) - scored at 33-1.
Jonjo O'Neill's chagrin at Black Jack Ketchum's fall in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle was tempered by Butler's Cabin's victory in the 137th Year of The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup at Cheltenham. The seven-year-old belied his starting price of 33-1 to win a thrilling renewal of the Festival marathon, although owner JP McManus claimed to have had just "buttons on him". Once long-time leader and warm favourite Gungadu left the scene at the penultimate fence, there was nothing to separate Character Building and Butler's Cabin approaching the last, with the former seemingly travelling better. But Alan Berry did exceedingly well to galvanise O'Neill's charge into a winning late run and had three-quarters of a length in hand at the line, with 100-1 outsider Countess Trifaldi running a cracker in third. There was drama in the aftermath of the race, however, as Butler's Cabin collapsed on the way back to the winner's enclosure. Thankfully, swift veterinary assistance revitalised the gelding, who was returned safe and well to the stables. "He's alive and kicking, just exhausted," said Jackdaws Castle trainer O'Neill. "He's actually done that before in his races, but we've given him plenty of oxygen and he's fine. "I wasn't expecting him to win at the last, but that's racing."
