A tough and more reliable Teahupoo is fancied to back up his Cheltenham success in style
After going two and a half days without a winner and smacking the crossbar on umpteen occasions, boy did the Cullentra House camp need Teahupoo to come up trumps in the Stayers' Hurdle. He was going to make or break Gordon Elliott's Cheltenham Festival.
There was a theory he had missed his chance 12 months earlier, when the race was there for the taking if he wanted it, but he was outbattled by his older and wiser stablemate Sire Du Berlais. Could he really be trusted?
Punters showed unwavering faith. He was backed from 7-4 into 5-4 before the off and duly delivered the sort of performance we needed to see from him. It was emphatic, a victory of nigh on four lengths at the line and the outcome was never really in doubt up the home straight. Elliott went on to add two more winners to his festival account and all was rosy in the garden.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
inPreviews
- 3.20 Ayr: 'He won't be sending her up there for no reason' - Red Danielle could be the answer to competitive Listed race
- 7.40 Huntingdon: 'He's dropped to a low mark' - cross-country chaser Back On The Lash seeking confidence boost as he reverts to hurdles
- 2.50 Saint-Cloud: Village Voice and Cristian Demuro reunited in search of Prix Corrida success for Jessica Harrington
- 4.35 Cologne: 'We've had this in mind since November' - will the plan pay off for Devil's Point in the German 2,000 Guineas?
- 6.10 Windsor: will form of runaway Dante winner Economics prove key? - analysis and key quotes for fillies' maiden
- 3.20 Ayr: 'He won't be sending her up there for no reason' - Red Danielle could be the answer to competitive Listed race
- 7.40 Huntingdon: 'He's dropped to a low mark' - cross-country chaser Back On The Lash seeking confidence boost as he reverts to hurdles
- 2.50 Saint-Cloud: Village Voice and Cristian Demuro reunited in search of Prix Corrida success for Jessica Harrington
- 4.35 Cologne: 'We've had this in mind since November' - will the plan pay off for Devil's Point in the German 2,000 Guineas?
- 6.10 Windsor: will form of runaway Dante winner Economics prove key? - analysis and key quotes for fillies' maiden