Endeavour has the power

Great Endeavour provided David Pipe with a first victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

In a race his father, Martin, used to dominate, Pipe’s grey survived a scare at the final fence to come home in isolation.

A gamble on Wishfull Thinking went astray as he faded coming down the hill, leaving Quantitativeeasing to chase home the winner, who strode clear by seven lengths.

Divers was third, with Aerial fourth.

Murphy said: "He (Pipe) knows how to train winners, which makes my job easier.

“This is a bit special. He had a great novice year – low profile – and he’s improved all the time.”

The 8-1 chance was well fancied for the race last year but could fare no better than sixth, but Timmy Murphy always looked confident on the David Johnson-owned seven-year-old.

Richard Johnson set a furious early pace on Wishfull Thinking but the challengers were stacking up half a mile out.

Dave’s Dream looked threatening, along with Fine Parchment, but nothing was able to land a blow once Murphy went for home.

The ante-post favourite, Mon Parrain, could never get involved.