Cork jockey Gavin Sheehan arrives on big stage with Cheltenham World Hurdle win

It’s four years since Gavin Sheehan left Ireland to try his hand abroad and yesterday’s triumph in the World Hurdle on Cole Harden is proof that the grass can actually be greener on the other side, writes Brendan O’Brien.

The Dunmanway, Co Cork jockey was only 18 when he made the plunge. Life as an amateur rider with Michael Hourigan in Limerick had taught him plenty, but the youngster’s hunger wasn’t being fully sated.

The relationship with Hourigan didn’t fully “click”, he explained.