O'Connor & Elliott open Festival accounts

Chicago Grey provided both Gordon Eliott and Derek O'Connor with their first Cheltenham Festival victory when justifying 5/1 favouritism in the four mile NH Chase.

O'Connor, champion Irish point-to-point rider for the past seven years with a career record tally of wins well in excess of 600, gave the eight-year-old a typically patient ride.

Beshabar struck for home three out but was joined approaching the last by Chicago Grey, who stayed on best up the hill to score by four and a half lengths.

Be There in Five was a further four and a half lengths back in third, while Alfa Beat and Some Target could find no extra from two out finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

O'Connor said: "John Earls, the owner of this horse, Gordon Elliott, and Paul Carberry have instilled faith into me the last two months.

"I'm just delighted to be here and I thank them all very much. He's an out-and-out stayer and jumps from fence to fence," added O'Connor, who was given a two day ban for hitting the horse in the wrong place.

Elliott was understandably thrilled saying: "It's probably the biggest day of my training career. We've won a Grand National, but this is what it's all about.

"Derek gave him a great ride. You have to have these good amateurs in this race - AP couldn't have given this horse a better ride today.

"I was never really worried all the way through the race and it's great for the yard. This race has been the target all year and I don't really have any plans for him."