'It'd be as big as the Gold Cup' - Brennan delight as O'Brien closes in on 100

Fergal O'Brien moved just three winners away from reaching a first seasonal century in his training career with a double and his jockey Paddy Brennan believes seeing his boss reach the landmark would be on a par with his biggest winners.

Brennan won the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Imperial Commander and the King George five years later with Cue Card, but says a 100th winner for his boss and close ally would be every bit as special.

On Tuesday, Brennan's 40th birthday, he rode Tequila Blaze to a neck success in the mares' maiden hurdle, while the Max Kendrick-ridden Ted's Friend completed the double in the bumper.

Brennan said of the century: "It would mean more than anything I've ever achieved, the Gold Cup was big, the King George was big, but this is just as big. That man has been picked up off the floor and I'm so proud of him."

He added of his winner: "She dug deep, Tom O'Brien was coming with a wet sail but he missed the last and I winged it. That was where we had the luck on the day."

Good form continues

Tom O'Brien enjoyed Grade 1 glory at Aintree on Saturday with Thyme Hill and took the day's featuring 2m1f handicap hurdle with State Crown. Ridden boldly from the front, he stayed on well to defeat Twin Star.

Results, replays and analysis

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