La Loi prevails in Champion drama Hors La Loi III landed a dramatic renewal of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham today.Three-time winner Istabraq, the 2-1 favourite, was never going for Charlie Swan and after jumping the second flight he decided pull up Aidan O`Brien`s star.As the field headed on to the far side it was another Irish challenger, Ansar, who took them along at a good clip chased by Mr Cool, Geos and Hors La Loi III with Tony McCoy travelling ominously well on Valiramix.But approaching the penultimate flight Valiramix clipped the heels of Ansar and came down on the flat.The James Fanshawe-trained Hors La Loi III, 10-1 chance, was sent into the lead at that flight by Dean Gallagher and the combination kept going in resolute fashion to hold on by three lengths from Marble Arch (25-1) with the French-trained Bilboa (14-1) finishing well to take third place half a length away.'I can`t believe it - it`s a dream that`s become reality, I`m just overwhelmed, overwhelmed,' an ecstatic Gallagher told Channel 4.'When I heard Istabraq was pulled up on the loudspeaker I thought `that`s one out of the way` but today was his day, he deserved it. He`s as tough as they come.'Hors La Loi III won the Supreme Novices` Hurdle at the Festival in 1999 and finished second to Istabraq in the Champion Hurdle the following year.This was Fanshawe`s second Champion Hurdle success following the victory of Royal Gait in 1992.A delighted Fanshawe said: 'I didn`t have any faith in him at last year, we couldn`t get him to do anything at all.'It`s been a real team effort. He was too keen last year and didn`t have any energy at the end of his races.'I suggested to Paul (Green, owner) that we send him novice chasing to freshen him up but Paul said `no, I`m sticking with the hurdling, I really believe in this horse`.'He had a horrible year last year and this year he`s been a different animal and, apart from Newbury, every race he`s run ash been an improvement.'Unfortunately Istabraq went wrong but it was to our advantage.'He`s had a clear run into this and for these big races you`ve got to have a smooth run into them or there`s no point in competing.'It was later revealed that Valiramix had to be put down after suffering serious injuries.
