GORDON Elliott completed a 209/1 treble on day three of the Cheltenham Festival following The Storyteller's (5/1 favourite) success in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate over two miles and five furlongs.

Ridden by Davy Russell, registering a 377/1 treble, the seven-year-old son of Shantou veered to his right after the final fence but kept on to score by one and three-quarter lengths from Nigel Twiston-Davies' Splash Of Ginge (25/1) in second.

Nigel Twiston-Davies' admirable 10-year-old was always to the fore and landed in front over the last, but The Storyteller was relentless and, despite taking a wayward course, was straightened up by Russell to score by a length and three-quarters.

The winning trainer said: "I can't believe it - six winners in Cheltenham! It just shows the horses we have in Ireland. Willie and myself are bouncing along, then Henry [de Bromhead] and Pat Kelly.

"If it was called off now, I would be having a good week!

"Joe and Pat Sloan [owners] are big supporters of my yard and have been with me since I started, so for them to get a Cheltenham Festival winner is great. Davy gave the horse a peach of a ride." When asked about the secret of his success, the Co Meath handler said: "Good horses, good owners, good staff - keep it simple."

The Storyteller's win brought Russell's total of Festival winners to 22. Russell said: "It is the thing of dreams [this week so far]. I am having a wonderful year and have a marvellous family at home. My wife is expecting next week. "

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29 PAGES OF CHELTENHAM COVERAGE IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND