Oscar-winning show from Curtis’s outsider

Lisnagar Oscar caused a 50-1 upset as reigning champion Paisley Park disappointed in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Making smooth progress on the near side, Lisnager Oscar hit the front before the final flight in the hands of Adam Wedge, to put trainer Rebecca Curtis back in the big time.

Lisnagar Oscar galloped on strongly up the hill to hold the challenge of Ronald Pump (20-1) by two lengths, with Bacardys (33-1) a further three lengths away in third place.

Apple’s Jade had set a decent gallop and opened up a big led until she came back to the field after the third-last flight.

The runners bunched up, with several horses in with a chance two out, but it was Lisnagar Oscar who proved strongest to claim the coveted prize.

Sire Du Berlais led home a

Gordon Elliott one-two as he recorded back-to-back victories in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.

Continuing a fine festival for Elliott as well as jockey Barry Geraghty and owner JP McManus, Sire Du Berlais (10-1) was revitalised by wearing blinkers for the first time.

The Storyteller, Sire Du Berlais and Tout Les Permis jumped the last virtually together, and it was the first two from the Elliott stable who pulled away.

Simply The Betts gave Harry Whittington a first Cheltenham Festival winner when lifting the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase.

Simply The Betts surrendered the lead to Happy Diva at the last, but fought his way back to the lead to score by a length and a quarter. Mister Whitaker was a length and three-quarters away in third, with Oldgrangewood fourth.