Attrition leaves Irish eyes smiling

St Patrick’s Day celebrations started in style at Cheltenham when Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary saw his horse, War of Attrition, land steeplechasing’s championship event, the £400,000 Totesport Gold Cup.

The gambled-on 15-2 chance ran out an impressive winner of the 22-runner contest, spearheading an Irish-trained 1-2-3 in the race under Conor O’Dwyer.