The Glenfarclas Cross Country Limited Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday went to Gavin Cromwell for the second year in succession as the Irish trainer enjoyed a 1-3-4 in the unique contest.

It was Final Orders (7/1) who came home two and a quarter lengths ahead of the Gordon Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou (2/1 favourite) with another 18 lengths back to the Cromwell-trained Vanillier in third. Last year’s winner Stumptown was another length back in fourth.

Gavin Cromwell said: “I knew conditions would really suit Final Orders and Conor was very good on him. He ran really well on Trials Day but his wind isn’t so good on soft ground and we actually gave him a little wind surgery after that and it really worked for him. I was confident he was in great form and Conor gave him a brilliant ride.

“The more the ground dried I thought it would play to Final Orders’ strengths, but at the same time Stumptown is so good around here, although the ground drying up was a negative for him. I thought at the last though that Favori du Champdou was cantering upsides us. I’m not sure he’ll get in the National but I don’t see why he wouldn’t run there.

“We came here this week with a nice bunch of horses but it’s still very difficult and we probably had a stronger team last year so it’s great to get one on the board, although all of them have run well so far.

“He’s been a wonderful horse for these owners.”

Winning rider Conor Stone-Walsh, enjoying his first Festival win said: “It’s a bit surreal at the minute - I think it will take a while to sink in! I had no real plan, just get a good start and go wherever he was happy, but I was conscious that I wanted to cover the least ground as possible,, so I let him rock down to the Canal Turn, and he jumped that well and ended up on the inside, and I was happy where I was and he was taking me everywhere. He jumepd from fence to fence and he kept going the whole way.

“Thanks to Keith, who has been schooling him! He was always a brilliant jumper, and with the ground drying up I was delighted coming here today with the horse that we had.

“He’s a small horse and when the ground is quick he really enjoys it.

“It’s brilliant - I can’t thank connections, the whole team at home and obviously Gavin as well. He has had plenty of faith in me. I’ve been with him nearly three years; I was on the Flat first with Joseph O’Brien, and then moved to Gavin. I’m only 19 and he’s shown plenty of faith in me, and I’m very grateful.”

Kevin Barron, manager of the winning ownership syndicate CMD Syndicate, said: “It’s unbelievable. There’s 10 of us involved in this horse, we bought him seven years ago for 14,000 guineas and this is the 11th race he’s won. He’s won on the Flat, he’s won over hurdles, he’s won over fences, it’s just unbelievable.”

Jack Kennedy, rider of runner-up Favori De Champdou, said: “We got a good run round and he jumped well, but he probably spent a bit too long in the air at the last. He was giving the winner a lot of weight and we know how much that horse is suited by good ground. It was a good run.”

Sean Flanagan who rode the third Vanillier, said: “Full revs all the way. Credit to him. I’ve got [hold of] the bit in his mouth as long as I can, and he hasn’t jumped as fluently as he can do, but that’s down to the ground. He’s 11, he’s been here five times, I think, and he’s only been out of here [the winner’s enclosure] once.

“He’s owned by fantastic people. It’s great for Conor - he’s a good, hardy young lad. This horse is just a dour stayer, and he’s one in a million to have for the owners. I reversed the form with Stumptown from last year, which is great today but more frustrating for last year! That’s just the competitor in me, but we’re delighted.”