With shamrocks as far as the eye can see, it’s hard not to feel hopeful for that pot of gold
May the luck of the Irish guide you as you step out for The Festival’s third day. With shamrocks as far as the eye can see, it’s hard not to feel hopeful for that pot of gold at the end of the day’s rainbow. Sing along to traditional Irish jigs and proudly proclaim your ancestral links to the Emerald Isle. The Irish are here and we’re all up for the craic. 2018 Festival flashback – Betbright Prestbury Cup standings: GB 6 IRE 15 Irish trainers swept the board with one British exception: Warren Greatrex’s win in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase with Missed Approach. Gordon Elliott scored three times. Shattered Love took the Grade One JLT Novices’ Chase, beating Terrefort by seven lengths under Jack Kennedy. Elliott followed up with Delta Work in the competitive Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle – Davy Russell used all his strength to hold off Delta Work’s stable-mate Glenloe (Barry Geraghty) by a neck. Winning owner Michael O’ Leary said: “Davy is a master jockey and is terrific in these handicaps.” Despite green being the theme of the day, it was Russell and O’Leary’s maroon and white Gigginstown House Stud colours that returned to the Winner’s Enclosure in the next race, the Grade One Ryanair Chase. The Henry de Bromhead trained Balko Des Flos gave Ryanair Chief Executive O’Leary a first victory in the race he sponsors. O’Leary said: “I think I’ve had a runner every year since we’ve sponsored – we’ve had so many seconds and thirds, so this is special. Trying to win this race has cost me a fortune!” Elliott and Russell hit the target again when odds-on favourite The Storyteller came home in front in the Brown Advisory &Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase. Willie Mullins proved the might of his County Carlow yard in his 60th Festival win, taking the Grade One Sun Bet Stayer’s Hurdle with Tony Bloom’s Penhill. Mullins then promptly overtook Henderson for most Festival wins by a trainer when Laurina, ridden by Paul Townend, won the Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. The five-year-old daughter of Spanish Moon was breathtaking, floating home to beat Cap Soleil by 18 lengths.
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