Day to remember for the Irish on St Patrick’s Thursday
IRELAND’S domination of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival reached new heights on St Patrick’s Day Thursday when trainers from the Emerald Isle saddled the first six winners on day three.
Willie Mullins edged ahead of Nicky Henderson as the winning-most trainer in Festival history as a double courtesy of Penhill and Laurina took his tally to 61 in all and seven for the week.
Gordon Elliott is just one behind in the race for the top trainer award at this year’s meeting thanks to a treble through Shattered Love, Delta Work and The Storyteller.
Not to be left out, Henry de Bromhead got in on the act with Balko Des Flos in the Ryanair Chase.
The latter’s success saw Gigginstown House Stud’s Michael O’Leary finally get his hands on the owner’s trophy for the Ryanair Chase he has sponsored since 2006.
After several near-misses, he struck gold when Balko Des Flos outpointed last year’s winner Un De Sceaux under Davy Russell.
Successful in the ultra-competitive Galway Plate in the summer, the 8-1 chance stepped up to Grade One company and starred on a brilliant day for Gigginstown, who also graced the winner’s enclosure with Shattered Love and Delta Work.
“It’s taken me 15 years to win the Ryanair, so I’m going to enjoy it,” said O’Leary. “Henry has hit the bar a couple of times this week, so it’s great to see him have a winner.”
Cue Card was pulled up by Paddy Brennan and trainer Colin Tizzard stressed the team would not be rushed into making any quick decision on the 12-year-old’s future.
Elliott continued on from his treble on Wednesday by repeating the trick.
Shattered Love (4-1) took the JLT Novices’ Chase to give Jack Kennedy a winner on his only ride of the day, while Delta Work (6-1) and Glenloe gave him a one-two in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.
The Storyteller (5-1 favourite) completed the good work in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase, where he was giving Russell a treble of his own.
Penhill won at the Festival for the second year running when springing a 12-1 surprise for the Mullins team in the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle.
Laurina romped home by 18 lengths in the Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. Warren Greatrex’s Missed Approach (8-1) took the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.