A special Friday for Ireland at Cheltenham as they claim all seven races
18-3-22 Cheltenham..
The predicted greenwash of the Cheltenham Festival proved so wide of the mark that at the close of play on Thursday evening only one winner separated Irish and UK-based trainers. But then came the final day and it was green from start to finish, with Willie Mullins pitching in with a near 1,519-1 five-timer, Joseph O’Brien again producing a winner at a top festival, and Henry de Bromhead topping the lot with his one-two in the Gold Cup.
Vauban looked all speed when posting an impressive display in a tactical renewal of the Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle, consigning Gordon Elliott’s two runners, Fil Dor and Pied Piper, to the minor placings. Winning rider Paul Townend was equally cool as he brought his Festival tally to 23 with a considerate and beautifully timed run aboard the inexperienced State Man in the County Hurdle.
