Minella Rocco and Derek O'Connor© Photo Healy Racing
Min lla Rocco showed stamina in abundance to run out a gutsy winner of the 146th Year Of The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup over four miles and 25 fences at Cheltenham.
Top amateur Derek O'Connor rode a patient race on the Jonjo O'Neill-trained six-year-old as first Vintage Vinnie and then Johnny Og ensured a proper gallop.
Taking it up at the final fence, the JP McManus-owned Minella Rocco (8-1) kept on resolutely and, despite running around up the hill, went on to score by a length and a quarter from Native River Measureofmydreams was six lengths away in third place.
O'Connor, winning the race a second time, said: "The horse gave me a tremendous ride - he was as brave as a lion.
"I don't think anyone can ever question his jumping ever again as he was big, brave and bold. He has a huge amount of potential going forward. It's a fairytale."
