Second Gold Cup win for Conor O'Dwyer
War Of Attrition stayed on strongly to win the Gold Cup for Ireland on St Patrick's Day. Conor O'Dwyer's mount hit the front down the back straight on the second circuit and pulled clear up Cheltenham's famous hill to lead home a first-ever Irish 1-2-3 in the race.
Leading at the second-last, War Of Attrition was hard-pressed by Ruby Walsh on last year's Grand National winner Hedgehunter, but kicked on to win by a comfortable two-and-a-half lengths. Forget The Past, under Barry Geraghty, could not quite live with the first two in the closing stages and was seven lengths away in third, but 4-1 favourite Beef Or Salmon was a major disappointment, trailing in 11th.
It was O'Dwyer's second victory in the Gold Cup, after winning 10 years ago on Imperial Call. "This is an emotional moment and we made the right decision to come here - it has paid off," he said. "He jumped super and we had a great run - I had to come wide but he is only a second-season novice so I didn't want to be too tight on him either. When I wanted to go he was able to go, which was a huge plus."
War Of Attrition's trainer Mouse Morris added: "It is fantastic and Conor gave him a super ride, for an older fellow! It was a great race for the Irish and you dream about these things. I have always had a lot of faith in this horse and I have always said he is one of the best I have ever had and I think he proved that."
Willie Mullins, trainer of Hedgehunter, was delighted with the effort of his 10-year-old. "I never thought I would be so delighted to finish second in my life but I am after the way mine have been running. He jumped fantastic and ran a fantastic race. The pace was a bit strong in the first half mile but he warmed to it nicely and he will definitely go for the Grand National now."
Beef Or Salmon has now failed in four attempts in the Gold Cup. "I'm beginning to believe the people now. I wonder if we can have the meeting transferred to Leopardstown," said his trainer Michael Hourigan.