Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT IS WIN AND OUT
Joy for Joseph after first victory
BAND Of Outlaws handed the all-conquering Joseph O’brien a first Cheltenham Festival win when landing the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
And, after a frustrating day and a half, a double with Festival superstar Tiger Roll and
Envoi Allen brought a smile back to Gordon Elliott’s face.
Backed into 7/2 favouritism, Band Of Outlaws recovered readily from some traffic problems turning for home to give O’brien’s first cousin JJ Slevin, successful on Champagne Classic two years ago, his second Festival success.
“JJ gave the horse a fantastic ride and we’re over the moon,” enthused the winning trainer (inset). “We were fairly confident and thought he could be better than a handicapper.
“We had a few chances yesterday and they all ran well. But it’s nice to get a winner.”
After a series of disappointments on Tuesday and yesterday, Elliott savoured Tiger Roll’s repeat win in the Glenfarclas Cross-county Chase, the remarkable nine-year-old’s fourth Festival success.
The 5/4 favourite, confidently handled by Keith Donoghue, bolted-up by 22 lengths, prompting Elliott to describe him as “a horse of a lifetime” before confirming that Tiger will now bid for a second Aintree Grand National next month. Elliott’s double was completed when Envoi Allen became the fourth successive favourite to score, digging deep for Jamie Codd (his second win of the meeting) to hold compatriot Blue Sari by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 1 Weatherby Champion Bumper.
“He’s the real thing,” declared Elliott. “He’s a horse that likes getting into a rhythm and Jamie gave him a great ride. He’s a three-mile chaser for the future.”
A SIMILAR outcome to Tuesday leaves it 8-6 in favour of Ireland at the halfway stage of the 2019 Festival.