DELTA Work (6/1), ridden by Davy Russell, just held off Glenloe (9/2 favourite), partnered by Barry Geraghty, in a nail-biting duel on the climb to the line in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday, to provide Gordon Elliott and owner Gigginstown House Stud with a quick double following Shattered Love's success in the JLT Novices' Chase.
And that's how close it was! Delta Work clings on to win the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle @CheltenhamRaces by a nose from Glenloe. #TheFestival
Results ?? https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/dqfTQCasD9— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 15, 2018
Davy Russell showed he was none the worse after being stood down for the last two races on the second day, following a fall from Bless The Wings, when just getting the better of Barry Geraghty by a nose.
The always-prominent Connetable was two and three-quarter lengths away in third, with a further two and a half lengths back to Taj Badalandabad in fourth.
Russell was winning the Pertemps Final for the third year in a row, following success on Mall Dini in 2016 and Presenting Percy last year.
What a finish! Delta Work wins the Pertemps @CheltenhamRaces and completes a quick-fire double for Gordon Elliott. #TheFestival
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 15, 2018
New Betfair customers get up to £100 in free bets: https://t.co/M5sVHe3vhU (T&Cs apply ??) pic.twitter.com/JyiuQ03AhY
Elliott, registering his fifth victory of the week and 19th overall at the Festival, commented: "It has been a great day and the horses are flying. I think Glenloe was a bit unlucky because he missed the last and, had he jumped it, he probably would have won.
"To have the first and second in a race like that is unbelievable. I am very lucky with the staff I have along with the owners and the horses.Tuesday I thought it was going to be one of them weeks. But to have five winners now - I can't believe it.
"It was a great ride by Davy but I trained both horses so I didn't care which way the photo went!"
Elliott went on to make it a treble on the day when The Storyteller won later in the afternoon.
Winning owner Michael O'Leary said: "It was a great finish with two master jockeys going hammer and tongs, a terrific finish. Davy is a master jockey and is terrific in these handicaps. He rides Cheltenham brilliantly and is worth a couple of pounds around here."
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