Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

THE 2026 Festival ended with an Irish winner, as Air Of Entitlement (10/1) ran out a commanding winner of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle under Paddy O’Brien.

Successful in the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival, the Robcour-owned mare enjoyed a clear passage along the inside rail and was pushed along to lead approaching the final flight.

Hot Fuss proved a game adversary, but Air Of Entitlement drew away inside the final 110 yards to score by two and three quarter lengths. Hot Fuss stayed on in second, half a length in front of the Willie Mullins-trained Jump Allen under Anna McGuinness.

The win did something to lift the spirits of Henry de Bromhead and team, who sadly lost Envoi Allen following the Cheltenham Gold Cup, when the 12-year-old tragically suffered a suspected cardiac arrest walking back from what was planned as the final start of his glittering career.

Speaking to Racing TV following Air Of Entitlement’s win, de Bromhead’s travelling head girl Zoe Smalley commented: “She was really impressive; she won here last year very impressively as well.

“It was bittersweet but we can’t take anything away from her, she was fantastic. Paddy O’Brien gave her an amazing ride.”

On the loss of Envoi Allen, she added: “It’s devastating. Lynne, who looks after him, is absolutely devastated, as are all the lads at home. You never want to see it happen to a horse, ever, but he was a really, really special horse.

“I’m just pleased that it was quick, painless. He was in a place that he loved, and significantly to us, a rainbow just popped up afterwards.”