Equestrian story by Carl Anders, Sat, 18 Mar 2006 10:28:01 GMT


The Cheltenham Festival should perhaps be renamed, as the Irish festival for such was the dominance of Irish horses this year that other contenders simply threw their hats into the ring. War Of Attrition led the Irish effort with a spectacular win in the Gold Cup as the famous festival drew to a close.

Hedgehunter and Forget the Past completed the Irish trio on what turned out to be "an impromptu St Patrick's Day parade." War of Attrition trainer Mouse Morris was left speechless after a majestic display from his horse, “I think I've died and gone to heaven," he said.

Conor O'Dwyer, War Of Attrition's jockey, could perhaps postpone his retirement plans for another season or two given the fact that his charge is now rated as number one in most bookmakers' lists. "Hopefully the horse will be back here, and I'd hate to be at home watching someone else riding him on the telly. He's an easy horse to ride, he just loves his racing and jumping," O'Dwyer, who celebrates his 40th birthday next month said.

"I had a quick look behind and knew that it was Hedgehunter who was coming after me, but the way he jumped the last two fences, I knew that there was no way anything was going to get by him." The horse owned by Ryanair chef executive Michael O'Leary went atop the bookmakers' list to retain his trophy next year as well. The biggest loss would have to be that of Beef Or Salmon, which failed to get anywhere near the top three.

Michael Hourigan, Beef's trainer admitted it was not his day, “He wasn't good enough on the day. It's just the place; I have to believe that now. I've said to the owners that maybe we shouldn't bring him back here any more," he said. "I have to believe people now when they say that he just doesn't like it here."

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