Gordon Elliott in tears as Wodhooh finally gives him a winner in last festival race

It took him until the final race of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival but a tearful Gordon Elliott registered a winner at the meeting when Wodhooh landed the Martin Pipe.

Although stable stars like The Yellow Clay and Teahupoo ran commendable races in two of the Grade 1 events, the trainer had 47 losers prior to the mare's decisive success under Danny Gilligan. The rider was partnering his second winner at this year's festival after Jazzy Matty's win in the Grand Annual on Wednesday. 

Gilligan drove Better Days Ahead to success for Elliott in the Martin Pipe last year and dominated the race again, with the strong-travelling Wodhooh settling in midfield before taking up the lead on the run to the last and stretching four and a quarter lengths clear of Act Of Authority, with Raglan Road in third.

While Wodhooh failed to win in four starts on the Flat with Sir Michael Stoute, she has yet to be beaten in seven starts over hurdles. She also helped give Ireland a clean sweep of the races on Gold Cup day and saw the visitors secure a 20-8 win over Britain in the Prestbury Cup. 

Kopeck De Mee, one of the talking horses of the meeting, was sent off the 5-2 favourite to make a successful debut for Willie Mullins. He raced prominently under Aidan Kelly but did not jump fluently and trailed in 20th of the 22 finishers.

What the winning trainer said

Gordon Elliott: "She's owned by a lot of good friends of mine, there's going to be good celebrations in the ring. This is special. I watched the race with Sean Bowen and Olly Murphy and if I'd have been beaten, I wouldn't have minded being beaten by him. To finish the week off like this and win the Martin Pipe – he's my hero. I just want to thank all my staff and owners that stuck by me. We've had a tough week but I won't lie down."

Read more . . .

Inothewayurthinkin thwarts Galopin Des Champs hat-trick bid to land Gold Cup for JP McManus 

Jasmin De Vaux stays on best to claim Albert Bartlett and secure 7069-1 four-timer for Willie Mullins 

'She has the heart of a lion' - Kargese roars to County Hurdle victory under Paul Townend 

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