Teahupoo puts in dominant display to go back-to-back in Champion Stayers Hurdle

There was a distinct sense of deja vu as Teahupoo began to clear away after the final flight from a staying-on Asterion Forlonge in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle as he rustled up a carbon copy of his authoritative victory 12 months ago.

In landing his fifth Grade 1, Gordon Elliott's redoubtable stayer tightened owner Robcour's vice-like grip on the stayers' division as they completed a clean sweep of the sphere's three spring Grade 1s with three different horses.

Teahupoo ruled the division with an iron fist last year, landing the Hatton's Grace, Stayers' Hurdle and this contest, but after charting an identical route this season the eight-year-old arrived here on the back of two defeats, although his consistency and resolution was still on display when he went out on his shield to a rejuvenated Bob Olinger at Cheltenham.

Teahupoo: winner of the Champion Stayers Hurdle under Sam EwingCredit: Patrick McCann

This victory was a remarkably straightforward and familiar performance from the 5-4 favourite, with Sam Ewing settling him in a share of fifth as the pair put in a typically assured round of jumping. Space was at a premium on landing after the third-last, but this horse pays no heed to potential complications.

He notched it up a gear under a slither of encouragement from Ewing and pressed forward to fly the second-last in a dispute of the lead with Winter Fog and Crambo.

Ewing began to use Winter Fog, who was taking a significant step up in trip, as a target and his mount was ambling through the gears on straightening before his old sparring partner Asterion Forlonge popped up on the inside as a live danger.

One crack of the whip approaching the last settled matters, however, and the winner really blasted away after a customarily neat leap at the last to put four and a quarter lengths between the pair, two lengths short of last year's winning distance but every bit as commanding. The Jessica Harrington-trained Jetara kept on stoutly to nab third from Winter Fog.

A relieved Elliott, who was landing his first win at this week's festival, said: "The ground beat us at Cheltenham. If I'd had a couple of winners beforehand my chest would be out, but I was panicking a bit turning in.

"He's so laid-back at home you'd nearly be questioning yourself over thinking this and that and whether he's a bit heavy."

Rarely has an owner had such a tight grip on a division as the Acheson family has over the staying hurdle sphere. Teahupoo completed a spring festival treble for the Robcour team after Bob Olinger and Hiddenvalley Lake's heroics at Cheltenham and Aintree in the familiar pink, white and black silks, and it is all the more remarkable considering the treble has been completed without the help of the sidelined Irish Point, another Grade 1-winning stayer for the team last season.

"Sam gave him a no-nonsense ride and kept it very straightforward," added Elliott. "He's a great rider and I'm very lucky with the staff, owners and jockeys I have in the yard. I'm in a great position.

Winning connections of Teahupoo celebrate his Champion Stayers Hurdle successCredit: Patrick McCann

"Robcour are great people. The way they support Cullentra, Henry de Bromhead and Mouse [Morris] is superb."

Ewing, who was scoring for the first time on Teahupoo, said: "Gordon said to me to kick on off the bend and Jack [Kennedy] did something similar on him last year.

"It was hustle and bustle and I pulled him a bit wider down the back given how it was going to unfold because I just wasn't happy where I was, but thankfully I got a nice position."

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