Cheltenham Festival: Poniros causes 100/1 shock Triumph Hurdle for Willie Mullins and Brighton chairman Tony Bloom

Poniros powered home to land a 100/1 shock and give Ireland a sixth straight success in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

James Owen's East India Dock and the Nicky Henderson-trained Lulamba had been strongly fancied to end Britain's barren run in the opener on Gold Cup day and looked set to fight out the finish when in front at the last flight.

However, they had to settle for minor honours as Jonjo O'Neill Jr conjured up a stirring finish from jumping debutant Poniros, who was providing Willie Mullins with a fourth consecutive Triumph victory, this one in the colours of Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom.

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Mullins - who had 11 runners in the race - said: "He's by Golden Horn and I think he's going to make a very good sire. He's the sort of horse you're looking for, but I didn't expect that. We were hoping he'd run well and be a nice horse for next year, so he's ahead of schedule.

"We bought him in October, we just schooled him and then gave him a break. We thought we'd better drag him in from the field and get him ready for Cheltenham, so that's what we did, but I didn't expect any more than a nice run.

"We'd a lot of horses in the race and they all came here with the same plan and I couldn't believe it when I saw him flying through."

Kargese all class in County Hurdle

Kargese produced a determined display to justify favouritism in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle.

Last season's Triumph Hurdle runner-up was a little keen early on for Paul Townend but they made a forward move from midfield on the turn for home and seemed set for a smooth success once striking the front.

The five-year-old faced a renewed challenge from Gordon Elliott's Ndaawi on the run-in but was always doing enough to score at 3/1 and give Willie Mullins a record-extending eighth win in the race.

Dinoblue continues Mullins' domination

Dinoblue emphatically ended her Cheltenham Festival hoodoo when claiming the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase for Mullins and Mark Walsh.

The eight-year-old had three times been a beaten favourite at National Hunt racing's showpiece meeting, including when a close second to Limerick Lace in this contest 12 months ago.

However, she laid those ghosts to rest to give owner JP McManus a fourth consecutive Mares' Chase victory.

Walsh was happy to track front-running stablemate Allegorie De Vassy for muchof the way before easing ahead approaching the penultimate fence, with the 6/4 market leader left to come home clear well clear of Brides Hill after Allergorie De Vassy fell at the last.

Wonderwall finds perfect tune in Hunters' Chase

Wonderwall battled back to fend off the late thrust of Its On The Line in the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase.

Sent off a 28/1 shot for trainer Sam Curling and jockey Rob James, Wonderwall was travelling notably well turning for home and grabbed the lead at the penultimate fence.

He looked well on top jumping the last but drifted across the track, allowing Its On The Line another bite of the cherry on the inside rail.

However, James got his mount back on a straight course and the pair were almost level at the line, with Wonderwall just shading victory by a neck.

Wodhooh ends Elliott's long wait

Gordon Elliott had to wait until the final race of Festival to get a win on the board, but Wodhooh ensured he would not go home empty-handed with a clear-cut verdict in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

It has been a trying week for the Cullentra handler, with a string of placed efforts and notable near-misses with The Yellow Clay in Wednesday's Turners Novices' Hurdle, Stellar Story in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and Teahupoo, whose Stayers' Hurdle defence was scuppered by Bob Olinger on Thursday.

The race named in honour of former trainer Pipe holds a special place in Elliott's heart as he rode for Pond House during his spell in the saddle and counts him as a key mentor in his training career.

Having won the contest three times previously, with Champagne Classic (2017), Blow By Blow (2018) and Better Days Ahead (2024), Elliott fielded five contenders this time around, with the Danny Gilligan-ridden Wodhooh sent off a 9-2 chance.

With Gilligan also seeking a repeat having partnered Better Days Ahead, he rode a confident race and Wodhooh could be called the winner from some way out, having plenty in reserve to see off the late charge of Act Of Authority by four and a quarter lengths.