Sir Gerhard powered through the soft ground to justify favouritism in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The 8-11 favourite, trained by Willie Mullins, followed up his Grade 1 success over two miles at Leopardstown with another – handling the step up to two miles and five furlongs with aplomb under Paul Townend.

Ahead of racing, conditions changed to soft after heavy rain fell on watered ground, making conditions gruelling, and the early pace did not help the keen Stage Star, who emptied quickly after the third-last.

Rachael Blackmore increased the tempo on Journey With Me approaching the stands for the first time, but was always tracked by Sir Gerhard, who was also very keen in the early stages, and the writing was on the wall turning in.

Townend swept to the front and held off the staying-on Three Stripe Life (8-1) to score by three and a half lengths. A tired Journey With Me fell at the last, leaving Whatdeawant (18-1) to fill the minor honours.

Townend said: “He showed his class, as keen as he was, to stay going. I was afraid going around that we were in the wrong race, but he showed his true ability to stay going.

“He jumped the best he has ever jumped on the course. His jumping the last day wasn’t great, but he jumped well there.”

Sir Gerhard was winning his second race at the Festival, having landed the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper in 2021.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: “I was absolutely delighted with the horse. He was a little freer than I thought he would be, but there was probably very little pace and he was really lit underneath Paul halfway down the back, but anyway, Paul kept enough in reserve and won as he liked.

“Yes, his jumping the second time concerned me a bit, but the first time out he was good and he was again today.

“Obviously you would think he’d be a chaser, So, he's left us in the dilemma next year whether to go novice chasing or maybe go back to the Champion Hurdle. That’s where we are.

"It was a nice way to do it. I think Richard got the full pleasure out of it to be standing out on the wet lawn with the rain teeming down with his family. What better way to celebrate a Cheltenham winner.”

Richard Thompson of winning owner Cheveley Park Stud, said:

"My three sons went to watch outside and I thought I'd better go and watch with them and what better way to see a win.

"Who cares about the rain when you've won a race like that? Fantastic."