Fourth time lucky for Dinoblue at Cheltenham

Dinoblue emphatically ended her Cheltenham Festival hoodoo when claiming the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase for Willie 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 much of 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.

Mullins said: “She ran a great race last year, it didn’t work out for her then and today it did work out for her.

“I’m sorry for Allegorie De Vassy, she’s run a cracker of a race. She was jumping too big and would have preferred a bit of company up front with her, I think.”

Walsh said: “It’s her fourth time at the Festival and I’m just delighted she got her head in front today.

“I was just in the pocket behind Paul (Townend, on Allegorie De Vassy), I was always happy, it was a nice, even gallop and the better ground this year was a big help – she just travels on it much better.

“Paul came down, but I think I’d have beaten him anyway.”

Having won with Limerick Lace 12 months ago, Gavin Cromwell had to settle for second place this time with Brides Hill, who was eight and a half lengths in arrears.

Cromwell said: “That’s our fifth second (this week), to go with Stumptown (winner of the cross-country race), but I suppose we’ll take it on this occasion as she’d have only been third but for the faller.

“She ran a great race, but the winner was a very good winner. She was on their coattails but they got away, they were a bit classier.

“I expected her to run well today and I suppose we’ll roll on to Punchestown now.

“Limerick Lace (fifth) would have preferred softer ground. I don’t know what we’ll do with her now. She did a lovely bit of work about 10 days ago and we were optimistic coming here, but on the evidence of her form this year she just hasn’t looked the same mare.”

Gordon Elliott said of the third, Shecouldbeanything “She’s run above expectations and we might have a look at the Irish National.”