The English threw their hats at the Cheltenham Festival yesterday when Ireland capped another all-conquering week with victory in the Gold Cup, writes Frank McNally in Cheltenham.
Michael O'Leary's War of Attrition completed a triple crown of the festival's big prizes, after Irish wins in the Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase. The Mouse Morris-trained horse also led an Irish 1-2-3 in the big race, as Hedgehunter and Forget the Past followed him up the Cheltenham hill in an impromptu St Patrick's Day parade.
It was Ireland's ninth win of the week, equalling the record set last year in the inaugural four-day meeting. But that total was beaten in the very next race, when Whyso Mayo led another Irish procession past the post.
The Duchess of Cornwall clearly had her card marked when she attended the meeting's closing day. With her duties including the presentation of the Gold Cup, the former Mrs Parker Bowles arrived wearing a special St Patrick's Day hat, complete with sculpted shamrocks. It proved an inspired choice, as jump-racing's biggest prize went west for the second year running.
It was a great day for the Irish, unless you were Michael Hourigan. The Limerick trainer finally conceded defeat in his epic attempt to prove that Beef or Salmon could win Cheltenham's classic race. As in his past three attempts, the horse never looked comfortable on the course. By contrast, and at odds with Mr O'Leary's business philosophy, War of Attrition was always travelling comfortably, and looked the winner from a long way out. During the subsequent celebrations, prompted by interviewers, the Ryanair boss promised "free flights for everyone". Exactly how this scheme will work remains to be seen.
Until this week the horse was not intended to run in the Gold Cup at all. He was also entered in the Ryanair Chase - sponsored by the airline - and this was the owner's preferred option, although he left the final decision to the trainer and jockey. After a difficult week, the result brought some relief to Irish punters, with one British bookmaking chain estimating winnings at £10 million. After a black Wednesday and a grey Thursday, however, the clawback was limited. Bookies still put their profits for the week at about £70 million.
The Gold Cup win was a bright start to a big sporting weekend. But rugby fans looking for a good omen before today's showdown with England should look elsewhere than Cheltenham. Ireland first completed the equine triple-crown last year, shortly before the showdown with Wales.