Cheltenham Festival review: Alan O'Sullivan caps emotional week with impressive ride 

Cheltenham’s golden girl Rachael Blackmore lit up day three of the meeting with a brilliant double including Bob Olinger in the Stayers Hurdle. 

Unfortunately, Home By The Lee was brought down early on by Crambo as his Cheltenham curse continued. But this day belonged to Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead who had earlier won the opening mares novice hurdle with Air Of Entitlement who just edged out the favourite Sixandahalf in a thriller.

Blackmore said: "We were very hopeful coming here, but for him to do it is fantastic. He’s a phenomenal horse and he’s unbeaten here. I know one day it was a fortuitous win after Galopin Des Champs fell at the last, but you need that bit of luck and today is a great day.

"He was a great ride everywhere today. He’s got speed and was able to use it at the end. When you’re riding for Henry, it’s a great help. It’s an incredible place, it’s where every jockey wants to be and I’ve been very lucky here. Any time you go up onto that podium, it’s very special." 

Fact To File was the banker for many and he didn’t disappoint for the McManus team. Connections decided to reroute last year’s Brown Advisory winner to the Ryanair Chase after suffering consecutive defeats to the Gold Cup favourite at Leopardstown. Castletownroche’s Johnjo O’Neill will always be remembered for steering Dawn Run to a famous Gold Cup victory but his Jagwar won the festival plate under his son Jonjo O’Neill Jnr.

Finally, on an incredibly emotional week for the family of Michael O’Sullivan his brother Alan had a lovely spin around in the concluding Kim Muir Chase to finish in the middle of the pack.

FINAL DAY PREVIEW

Paul Townend and Galopin Des Champs can join the greats of the sport by winning a third consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup on the final day of festival. 

A brilliant winner of the Irish Gold Cup back in February at Leopardstown this brilliant chaser has looked imperious in his last two starts and barring accidents should collect. 

The opposition is led by Inothewayourthinkin from the Gavin Cromwell camp and this horse has been supplemented by JP McManus. Banbridge was a brilliant winner of the King George over Christmas at Kempton Park but doubts about his ability to stay the gruelling trip of a Gold Cup would be a negative.

Corbett’s Cross is another McManus representative who started out with Eugene O’Sullivan and is trained by a very shrewd trainer in Emmet Mullins.

Doneraille’s Darragh O’Keeffe is on the outsider Gentlemansgame for Mouse Morris who might run well at a monster price. But on all known form Galopin Des Champ and Townend should be crowned champions on another extraordinary week at Cheltenham.

Elsewhere on the card high-profile Cork owner Joe Donnelly’s Lulamba can get the final day underway with victory in the Triumph Hurdle. Purchased by Ballinora native and bloodstock agent Jerry McGrath this fella was very impressive on his only start at Ascot. 

McGrath says: "Thankfully Lulamba is in super order and should go very close. Myself and the Donnelly’s were all set for the Triumph last season with Sir Gino but all the Henderson horses were withdrawn due to illness. Darragh O’Keeffe has been a bit unlucky during the week and he rides The Big Westerner for Henry De Bromhead in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle. De Bromhead has his horses in terrific order and with luck in running this talented mare has a big chance."

Wodhooh has been the subject of very positive reports and can bring the curtain down on the meeting with a winner for JP McManus and Gordon Elliot in the Martin Pipe Hurdle.