Ivanovich Gorbatov gave Aidan O’Brien his first Festival winner since the mighty Istabraq when storming home in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
O’Brien has very much concentrated on the Flat since Istabraq captured the third of his Champion Hurdles in 2000, but Ivanovich Gorbatov (9-2 favourite) was well worth the wait.
O’Brien’s son Joseph, who has recently retired from riding, has been supervising the young hurdler’s preparation ahead of getting his full training licence and Ivanovich Gorbatov, owned by JP McManus, delivered in style to give jockey Barry Geraghty his first success of the week.
Relishing the better ground, Ivanovich Gorbatov made up for his defeat at Leopardstown to defeat two horses from the all-conquering Willie Mullins’ stable with Apple’s Jade beaten a length and a quarter in second and Footpad six lengths away in third.
Geraghty said: “I’ve been banking on this lad all week. I’ve had a couple of good rides and they’ve been running well, but it’s good to get a score on the board.
“He’s only had two runs over hurdles and three on the Flat, I’d say he’s a horse who can do it well and it’s nice to do it for the boss.
“Joseph has done brilliantly, he told me the first day what he was, he loved him and he loved him for today.
“He had him so well schooled — I’d say he (Joseph) can only do well (training).”
Joseph O’Brien said: “It’s unbelievable, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.
“It’s very hard to put into words what I’m thinking right now.
“I was very hopeful but Barry was more confident than anyone, he rode him the last day and was happy to put a line through it, he just said the ground was to blame.
“We were very happy today because the ground was very different.
“It’s not really sunk in yet. It’s hard to compare (to winning the Derby) but it’s right up there.”
Aidan O’Brien added: “It’s unbelievable to be here and it’s happened.
“The last time I saw him was in Ballydoyle and I’ve just seen him at the races since. It’s a great team effort. I’m delighted for Joseph, JP and everyone.
“Joseph rode him to win on the Flat and I always thought this was the closest to him (Istabraq) that we have had.”
First taste
Superb Story gave brothers Dan and Harry Skelton their taste of first Festival success when winning a dramatic race for the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Superb Story led after jumping what should have been the second-last but the final flight was omitted while Wayne Hutchinson received treatment for a fall from Montbazon on the first circuit.
Thankfully, Hutchinson eventually got up and walked away.
In a fast and furious encounter, the well-backed Great Field pulled his way to the front after taking the first.
Though he finally did settle in front, his exertions must have taken their toll.
Harry Skelton brought Superb Story with a well-judged challenge and the 8-1 shot galloped on resolutely to score by two and a half lengths from 33-1 chance Fethard Player.
The always-prominent Sternrubin was two and a half lengths away third with Wait For Me (7-1 joint-favourite) fourth.
Harry Skelton said: said: “Magic. I’ve been saying for the last two weeks I couldn’t see him getting beat, which sounds a silly thing to say before a County. I’ve never fancied one as much as this.
“It’s great for all the staff because they work so hard, I’m the lucky one who gets to ride them.
“We’ve hit every bit of woodwork this week, I was speaking to Ted Walsh and he just said to slot him in and let it happen and we’ve hit the goal.
“I’m so thankful to Dan and to my dad (Nick Skelton, Olympic showjumper) for their belief in me.
“I was in front a minute too soon but I saw we weren’t jumping the last so I thought ‘right, let’s go’.”
Dan Skelton said: “It means everything, I’m so pleased Harry was on my first winner, too.
“I knew it would come one day, but it’s amazing — the horses have been in great form, I knew he wouldn’t be far away but he’s got to do it on the day.
“This is the greatest day, it might be overshadowed by the Gold Cup and Victoria Pendleton, but I couldn’t give a monkey’s!
“It shows how tough the competition is that if this was an English-only Festival I’d have had four winners. I know there’s only Irish and a few French, but this is our global championship.”
A proud Nick Skelton said: “I’m so delighted for them, they work really hard.
“Harry’s been saying for two weeks this horse would win. Everything worked out. I thought he’d committed too early, but he knew what he had underneath.”
