High flyer hits gold

VICTORY for the Irish comes no sweeter than in the Gold Cup and if favourite Beef Or Salmon yet again failed to lead the shamrock-bedecked hordes to their racing Valhalla, Mouse Morris, Conor O’Dwyer and War Of Attrition stepped into the breach to bring racing’s Blue Riband home for the second consecutive year.

And with Cork horse Whyso Mayo taking the very next race, the Christie's Foxhunters Chase, the Irish ended up with a record-breaking ten festival victories to send the travelling support home in an even more delirious state of mind and finances than even St Patrick himself could have hoped for.

But it was the War Of Attrition team, including the owner, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, who sent the Irish home happiest.