Stayers' Hurdle hero Sire Du Berlais flies home to land second Liverpool Hurdle

Sire Du Berlais joined an illustrious list of staying superstars by completing the Cheltenham-Aintree double with remarkable victory under an inspired Mark Walsh ride.

Anchored out the back and never really travelling for much of the race, the Gordon Elliott-trained veteran looked in trouble but then appeared on the scene out of nowhere, using the element of surprise to join Marie's Rock and Nico de Boinville before drawing three and a quarter lengths clear at the line.

Sire Du Berlais traded at a high of 199-1 in running on the Betfair Exchange with Marie's Rock hitting a low of 1-6.

In winning the Liverpool Hurdle for the second year in a row with the masterful Walsh, JP McManus's stayer became the first 11-year-old to win since the similarly enigmatic Deano's Beeno 20 years ago.

The accolades kept coming as he replicated the achievements of Iris's Gift, Big Buck's (four times), Solwhit and Thistlecrack this century in going on from Stayers' Hurdle success to win the Aintree equivalent.

"He's unbelievable," said Elliott. "To come back at his age and do that again – we're absolutely delighted. Mark gave him a brilliant ride as he was flat to the boards all the way and he kept holding him and holding him and he kept picking him up, which was brilliant.

"To be honest, I thought we were in a bit of trouble today and we'd got a bit too far out of it, but he kept picking up and Mark gave him a brilliant ride."

McManus celebrated his fourth Grade 1 of the meeting following on from Zenta, Inthepocket and Jonbon, and he too heaped praise on his jockey for pulling off the unlikeliest of victories.

"I was thinking today wasn't going to be his going day, but in fairness to Mark that was an exceptional ride because he waited for the others to come back," McManus said. "What can I say about him – he's a wonderful horse. I'm lucky to own him and he doesn't know how old he is."

Mark Walsh celebrates another Grade 1 win on Sire Du BerlaisCredit: Edward Whitaker

Walsh, enjoying his second top-level win of the week having partnered Zenta, tried to deflect the praise towards his willing partner.

"He doesn’t know when he's beaten and always tries his hardest," he said. "It was tough work for him for the first lap and a half. They went a really strong gallop and I was never travelling or happy anywhere.

"It was just when I turned into the straight that I thought I had a little squeak of getting on to the backend of them and I did.

"You can't really bully him, you just have to keep niggling away. Nico hadn't moved on his filly and I got him going and I didn’t want to stop his run so he was in front plenty soon, but in fairness he put his head down and galloped all the way to the line.

"He had a hard enough race at Cheltenham and fair play to him for coming back like that. He has won three Grade 1s now, so at some point he needs to be taken seriously."

Sire Du Berlais was introduced into the market for next year's Stayers' Hurdle at 25-1 by Betfair, and Elliott hinted that might be it for this season.

"I'd say we'd put him away now and we'll see if we can get another while out of him," the trainer said. "I'd say he won't go to Punchestown, but we'll see and you never know, we won't say 'no' yet. He deserves a holiday now and he's been a horse of a lifetime. We're so lucky to have him."

Marie's Rock is set to renew rivalry next season with the winner after pleasing her connections on her first try at the trip.

Tom Palin, racing manager for owners Middleham Park, said: "She showed she stays three miles and ran a blinder. It's no disgrace to finish second to Sire Du Berlais and she acquitted herself admirably. She will keep to three miles now and we will work back from the Stayers' Hurdle and this race."

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