'He'll be a brilliant staying chaser' - Olly Murphy eyes big targets for Butch after comfortable chase debut success

Olly Murphy believes the future is bright for Butch after a convincing chase debut success in the 2m4f novice.

The seven-year-old, who finished outside the first two only once in eight starts over hurdles, was sent off the 1-4 favourite against two rivals. After going clear before the third-last, Butch built up a significant advantage under Sean Bowen and scored by 14 lengths from Abbeydale.

In doing so, he emulated his stablemate Itchy Feet, who justified odds-on favouritism when beating two rivals by 26 lengths on his chase debut on the same card in 2019 before taking a significant step up in class on his next start when winning Sandown's Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase.

"That was very pleasing," said Murphy. "He hasn't had a straightforward autumn and early part of the winter health-wise, so it's nice to get him back on track and he jumped well. Itchy Feet started off over fences here and then went for a Scilly Isles, but I'm not sure where this lad will go next.

"We'll take a look at the Scilly Isles or the Reynoldstown at Ascot before looking at some spring targets for him. He's a lovely horse and will be a brilliant staying chaser, and this was a great starting point."

Williams strikes again

Hunter Legend landed the £20,000 Leicestershire Silver Fox Handicap Chase to provide Venetia Williams with another notable Saturday winner.

The 11-8 favourite finished seven and a half lengths clear of Invincible Nao under conditional Ned Fox to record his third success over fences.

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