'I love it when a plan comes together' - Gordon Elliott's Teahupoo justifies late market support in Stayers' Hurdle

At last, redemption for Teahupoo.

The seven-year-old was sent off 9-4 in last year's Stayers' Hurdle but following a mistake at the second-last under Davy Russell he was switched on the run to the final hurdle, carried left soon after it and was then hampered when being galvanised for one final effort. He finished third past the post before being promoted to second ahead of Dashel Drasher. 

Following that bitter experience, you could forgive those closest to Teahupoo for not allowing themselves to get too carried away when the market once again suggested he was the one to beat, even before a late plunge. However, after everything that could go wrong did last season, his Cheltenham story took a welcome twist when he powered three and three-quarter lengths clear under Jack Kennedy.

In a wide-open race that pitted youth against experience, it was the joint-youngest horse in the field, a relative spring chicken, who served it up to two-time winner Flooring Porter, leaving behind a Grand National winner Noble Yeats, as well as previous winners and popular 12-year-olds Sire Du Berlais and Paisley Park, who received a remarkable reception during a lap of honour after being retired.

"Everything went right, bar missing the second-last," said Gordon Elliott, visibly relieved after his first winner of the week. "We said we'd come here fresh after he won the Hatton's Grace. That was always the plan. He's stronger than last year. Even saddling him up, it felt like he might have grown. 

"I was a bit anxious at the top of the hill and he probably got there a bit soon but I had confidence in Jack. He's world class. Never say never but at the moment he's going to stick to hurdling. He could go to Aintree or Punchestown next and might even go to France. He has some nice options."

The Stayers' Hurdle was a fascinating blend of emerging talents such as Crambo and Teahupoo alongside previous Cheltenham runners who all found their place in this division. Teahupoo is no exception, having first run at the festival over two miles when finishing 33 lengths behind the brilliant Honeysuckle in the 2022 Champion Hurdle. 

He has now been sent off favourite twice here, and with that comes additional pressure. "Today felt different because we consciously made the decision to come straight here," said Brian Acheson, whose Robcour colours were also carried to victory by Slade Steel in the Supreme on Tuesday.

"He doesn't take a lot of racing and I went over to Gordon and Robbie [Power] after his last win and said we'd be going straight to the Stayers' – some people questioned that but I love quotes and one of the best is, 'I love it when a plan comes together' by Hannibal Smith from the A-Team.

Jack Kennedy: celebrates after scoring aboard TeahupooCredit: Michael Steele

"When he was beaten last year I felt sorry for him because he's better than he performed. This time he showed what he's capable of and I'm so happy for the lads. They're on the board for the week. I said to Jack walking out before the race that he had to get rid of his case of seconditis."

Following the dominance of Big Buck's between 2009 and 2012, the Stayers' has been characterised by unpredictability, with Flooring Porter the only dual winner since. While Thursday's winners offered some much-needed variety, the same could not be said for the opening two days of the festival, when Willie Mullins sent out six winners, headlined by State Man's comfortable victory in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday.

Elliott was responsible for the runner-up Irish Point, while he also had to settle for second with Found A Fifty and Romeo Coolio. The trainer is used to having winners here but he is also used to having to compete with Mullins on a regular basis and that becomes even harder at the festival.

A patient approach paid off for Teahupoo but has Elliott followed the same advice? "It's difficult to keep telling yourself but you have to be patient," he added. "It's been a long couple of days but there's been no hard-luck stories. There's no horse who should have won but didn't. I've been here at the festival before and know how hard it is. I was getting a bit twitchy but you've got to take it on the chin and just keep coming out with a smile.

"I have to see Willie every week, while you only see him for a couple of weeks a year over here, so you can imagine what it's like. He's a gentleman and to be in the same era as him is unbelievable."

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