Teahupoo completes Cheltenham-Punchestown double but Gordon Elliott yard suffers 'heartbreaking' loss of Sire Du Berlais

Teahupoo confirmed himself king of the staying division with a majestic display, becoming the first horse to win the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham and follow up in the equivalent race at Punchestown since Anzum in 1999.

However, the race was marred by the death of his stablemate and three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Sire Du Berlais, who suffered a fatal injury.

Teahupoo had been dominant at Cheltenham, emulating Sire Du Berlais as the Stayers' Hurdle winner, but there was a greater sense of style to his display here, justifying favouritism when thundering six and a half lengths clear of Asterion Forlonge in the closing stages under Jack Kennedy. 

He had just two rivals behind him in the early stages but made steady progress to dispute third approaching the third-last, where he got in tight and lost momentum for a couple of strides. Kennedy had to briefly encourage him along but the duo were soon on an even keel and back travelling smoothly as they turned for home. After hitting the front with minimal urging, he produced an agile leap at the last just as challengers emerged and surged to the line from Asterion Forlonge, with Home By The Lee flying home for third.

"Jack said he was very happy with him the whole way," said winning trainer Gordon Elliott. "Paul [Townend, on Asterion Forlonge] had him in a pocket for the first half of the race and he just said he had to get out of it. 

"He's a great horse, we're very lucky to have him. I'd imagine we'd keep him to hurdles as he looks pretty strong in that division at the moment."

Jack Kennedy greets Gordon Elliott after winning the Champion Stayers' Hurdle on TeahupooCredit: Patrick McCann

Paddy Power cut Teahupoo into 5-2 favourite (from 3) to land back-to-back Stayers' Hurdle crowns at Cheltenham next season.

Brian Acheson, of owners Robcour, said: "I was really worried coming here as the horse didn't let himself down on the ground last year. You just want the horse to show everyone how good they are. This is all about Teahupoo."

The success extended Kennedy's lead in the jockeys' championship to six over Townend and Elliott is understandably willing his trusted pilot over the line, adding: "It's great for Jack – it's more important for him than anyone. It will be a nerve-racking couple of days now, especially with him not riding on Saturday [owing to a ban]."

The race had an awful postscript for Elliott and his team when it was revealed that Sire Du Berlais had suffered a fatal injury during the race. A three-time Cheltenham Festival winner for owner JP McManus, having landed back-to-back runnings of the Pertemps Final before his Stayers' Hurdle win last year, he was fittingly described as a "horse of a lifetime" by the trainer.

"It's absolutely heartbreaking," said Elliott. "He's been a horse of a lifetime for us at Cullentra and everyone is in bits over it. He's been unbelievable for us and we're all gutted.

"Our thoughts are with JP and the McManus family. It takes the gloss off the whole week. He always wore his heart on his sleeve."

Elliott went on to finish the day with a treble as Maxxum won the following handicap hurdle and Wingmen took the closing bumper.

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