MARTIN PIPE

CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’

HANDICAP HURDLE

BLOW By Blow gave trainer Gordon Elliott his eighth winner at this week’s Cheltenham Festival when defying top weight in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

The seven-year-old son of Glenview Stud sire Robin Des Champs made all the running in the hands of Donagh Meyler to complete a double on the card for Elliott following the victory of Farclas in the JCB Triumph Hurdle. The 11/1 shot was also a seventh winner at the meeting for owners Gigginstown House Stud.

Paul Nolan’s Discorama came from out of the pack to claim second place, five lengths behind the winner. Joseph O’Brien’s Early Doors was a length and a quarter away in third, with another Elliott runner Sire Du Berlais next as Irish horses took the first four places.

Elliott, for the second year running, has won the Irish Independent Leading Trainer Award at the festival. His eight victories just eclipsed Willie Mullins’ seven wins. He said: “In fairness to Donagh, I don’t think they went much of a gallop and he got a nice, soft lead. Blow By Blow is a Grade 1 winner and looked well-handicapped, although I thought the ground had gone for him.

“What a week. We were leading trainer last year and to come here again and get eight winners is unbelievable. We will enjoy it.”

Michael O’Leary commented: “This horse has gradually improved and improved, but we thought his ground had gone today. It was a remarkable ride by Donagh Meyler; the last thing you do here is go from the front all the way around! We expected him to blow up at the top of the hill.”

Blow By Blow’s impressive win may have been trainer Gordon Elliott’s eighth success of the 2018 Festival and owner Michael O’Leary’s seventh, but it was a first Festival win for jockey Donagh Meyler. The 22-year-old, who works for Elliott one day a week and for Tony Martin three days a week, said: “It’s brilliant - I’m stuck for a few words!

“I thought he would have an each-way chance, but I didn’t think I would ever ride a winner round Cheltenham, and here we are. I grew up hunting in Kilkenny and doing a bit of pony racing - it gives Irish lads a great start.”