1. In the beginning, there was Champagne Fever
All the talk in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle was for hot favourite MyTentOrYours, but then Ruby Walsh came along on board last year’s Champion Bumper winner to spoil the party.
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
2. Hurricane Fly looked a beaten horse as they turned for home
But once Ruby asked the question, the 2011 champ stormed up the hill, becoming the first horse to win back his Champion Hurdle crown since Comedy of Errors.
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
3. If Ruby was good on the Fly, he was even better on Quevega
Sent off the 8/15 favourite, Walsh waited and waited before scything through the field to win a remarkable FIFTH successive Mares’ Hurdle.
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
4. Back in Focus got day two off to a flyer
Patrick Mullins continued his dad Willie’s hot streak when he came from a different field to win the John Oaksey National Chase, the opener on Wednesday’s card.
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
5. And Lord Windermere led home an Irish 1-2 in RSA Chase that afternoon
Lyreen Legend (red and green) wasn’t too far behind at the finish.
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
6. Flaxen Flare was the shock winner of the Fred Winter Hurdle
The 25/1 shot gave Gordon Elliott and Davy Condon their only winner of the 2013 Festival.
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
7. And then Ruby went and won the Champion Bumper — on 25/1 shot Briar Hill
Hang on, Ruby was riding for Willie Mullins in the Bumper and nobody had it backed? Seriously?
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
8. Thursday started with a shock as Benefficient won the Jewson Novices’ Chase at 20/1
It was the first-ever Festival winner for Tralee’s Bryan Cooper… but there was better still to come.
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
9. With no Big Buck’s in the field, Solwhit took full advantage to win the World Hurdle
It was only his third race after almost two years off the track but trainer Charles Byrnes and jockey Paul Carberry combined to show that class is permanent.
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
10. An Irish horse always wins the Glenfarclas Cross Country
And when it was finally run in the fading light of Thursday evening, Barry Cash got Big Shu up to win by four lengths at 14/1.
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
11. Friday started with one of the most exciting Irish performances of the week
In the assured hands of Bryan Cooper, Our Conor romped clear to win the Triumph Hurdle by a whopping 15 lengths
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
12. And Cooper wasn’t done yet
In the very next race, he followed up to win the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle on Tony Martin’s Ted Veale — his third winner of the Festival.
[©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]
13. Salsify equalled the Irish record of 13 winners
Although Colman Sweeney did need a major helping hand from Oscar Delta, ridden by Jane Mangan, who ran out when winning the Foxhunters’ Chase.
[©David Davies/PA Wire/Press Association Images]
14. In the end, it came down to one race… and just one Irish contender
Alderwood was the only Irish-trained horse in the final race of this year’s Festival, the Grand Annual Chase, but AP McCoy delivered Tom Mullins’ charge to land Ireland’s 14th win, a Cheltenham record.
[©David Davies/PA Wire/Press Association Images]
