Fayonagh wins Champion Bumper at Cheltenham as Gordon Elliott has fifth success of week
Thursday 1 February 2018 14:28, UK
Gordon Elliott's dream Cheltenham Festival continued when Fayonagh's late burst took her to victory in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
The 7/1 shot, who also gave amateur rider Jamie Codd a double, came from just about last place at halfway and produced a stunning finish to deny Debuchet.
Margaret Mullins' runner had appeared to be on his way to victory, having taken a handful of lengths out of the field, but Fayonagh denied her 10/1 shot.
Claimantakinforgan finished third at 22/1 for the RSA Chase-winning team of Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.
And there was more disappointment for Willie Mullins, who reached the halfway stage winner-less after a below-par run from Carter McKay - his Next Destination (10/1) did finish fourth.
Elliott said: "Five winners in two days? I can't believe it. In fairness to Jamie Codd, he bought the mare and he recommended that she be trained by me, so many thanks to him.
"When she hit the hill she was last - she's something else. I was worried about the ground. We were going to go to Sandown the other day but I said to the owners that she's won a Listed race so we may as well go to Cheltenham.
"We will run her over hurdles next year. The turn of foot she showed today in the last furlong was amazing."
Codd said: "Turning in I thought I might be fourth or fifth, but when I gave her a belt in the last furlong she really quickened. To be fair she was going further away at the line.
"It was an incredible performance from the mare. She really is something special and I am lucky to be riding her.
"To be honest it went pear shaped from the start. I lined up to be in the first six or seven, but once there was was the false start and standing start she got frightened by a couple of horses and stood there for a few seconds.
"They went a good gallop though and I just tagged along and followed them round. To be fair she quickened up the straight three or four times.
"The ground was perfect for her it, is beautiful ground out there and I never thought the ground would stop her.
"She was bought here at Cheltenham before Christmas and it is a great story for the owners to have a Festival winner four months later."
