National treasure

After his memorable exploits at Cheltenham, who would bet against Conor O’Dwyer making headlines again at Aintree on Saturday with Le Coudray? Declan Colley spoke to a man still on air after his Champion Hurdle victory.

IT'S day one of the Cheltenham Festival and Conor O'Dwyer has three rides on the card: War of Attrition in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Hardy Eustace in the Champion Hurdle and Back on Top in the Pertemps Hurdle.

Even an optimist like O'Dwyer could not have predicted what was about to unfold. The 33/1 shot War of Attrition is pipped by a neck by Irish banker Brave Inca in the first and then Hardy Eustace also a 33/1 shot wins the Champion Hurdle, beating reigning champion and favourite Rooster Booster in a heart-stopping battle up the famous hill.