Sire Du Berlais repeats Pertemps success

Sire Du Berlais led home a Gordon Elliott one-two as he recorded back-to-back victories in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Continuing a fine Festival for Elliott as well as jockey Barry Geraghty and owner JP McManus, Sire Du Berlais (10-1) was revitalised by wearing blinkers for the first time.

The Storyteller , Sire Du Berlais and Tout Les Permis jumped the last virtually together, and it was the first two from the Elliott stable who pulled away.

Sire Du Berlais, carrying top-weight, got on top close home to land the spoils by half a length. Tout Les Permis was six and half lengths away in third place, with Third Wind fourth and Relegate a never-nearer fifth.

When asked which one he was shouting for, Elliott said: “I didn't care, both of them ran well and the horses are running out of their skin.

“He won it a bit easier than last year, the blinkers help him travel that bit better.

“I'll have to talk to the owners and see what he does next. The Storyteller ran a brilliant race too and had no excuses. I'd imagine we could look at Punchestown for both.”

Geraghty said: “I know he'd 11st 9lb last year, but even with 11st 12lbs he had a chance. The Storyteller was the horse I was afaid of. I had to push the ears of him most of the race last year, but he travelled great this year and I could ride a race and was able to deliver.

“There's nothing better than riding winners at Cheltenham.”

There was a sad postcript to the race, as it was announced Copper Gone West had suffered a fatal injury.

Her trainer Tim Vaughan said: “She broke an offside fetlock. She was travelling like a dream, but something must have gone wrong going down the hill.

“It's devastating. She was a nice progressive horse who had long-term broodmare prospects.”