RAIDERS RETURN WITH THE SPOILS Elliott and Russell take the top Festival honours

GORDON ELLIOTT, Gigginstown House Stud and Davy Russell ended another remarkably successful Cheltenham for Ireland by taking the Festival titles.

Elliott annexed a second successive trainer’s title thanks to a Friday double with Farclas and Blow By Blow, putting him on the eight-winner mark for the week, one ahead of Willie Mullins.

Ironically, Blow By Blow, a horse which won a Grade 1 bumper at the 2016 Punchestown Festival for Mullins, before Michael O’leary pulled the plug on Closutton, clinched the title for Elliott when making virtually all to win the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, giving Donagh Meyler his first Festival success.

Earlier, Farclas reversed last month’s Leopardstown form with the Mullinstrained Mr Adjudicator in the JCB Triumph Hurdle to initiate the Elliott double.

The grey outstayed his rival on the run-in, scoring by a length and three-quarters to give Jack Kennedy his fourth win of the week, tied with Davy Russell.

But, thanks to placed rides during the week, Russell, who enjoyed a super treble on Thursday, took the leading rider’s award for the first time.

Speaking after the victory of Punchestown-bound Farclas, Elliott said: “We’re having an unbelievable week. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – we’re very lucky, to have the horses, the owners and the staff. This is unbelievable and a big thanks to everyone.”

For Michael and Eddie O’leary, this was an amazing week – seven winners, five more than any other owner. And included in their roll of honour were four Grade 1 prizes, with Samcro, Bako Des Flos, Shattered Love and Farclas.

And Michael O’leary admitted: “It’s been a phenomenal week. If you come here and get two orthreewinners,it’s fantastic.

“But nobody

The achievements of Willie

Mullins should not be forgotten. He ended the week with seven, a total matched previously only by himself (2016) and Nicky Henderson (2012) and beaten once. By himself, in 2015.

But, like last expected this.” year, he was pipped for title by Elliott.

And, on Thursday, he did become the record winning trainer in the history of the Festival, edging ahead of Nicky Henderson onto the 61-winner mark.

Admittedly, in a week when Ireland defeated the home team 17-11, British trainers won the three iconic feature races, with Buveur D’air, Altior and Native River. But, for so many reasons, it was an unbelievable Festival for the raiders.

And, in the Gold Cup dominated all the way by Native River and Might Bite, Irish challengers filled the next three positions, with Anibale Fly (third), Road To respect ( fourth) and Djakadam ( fifth).