Rachael Blackmore rode her sixth winner of the week as Quilixios landed the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Having his first start for Henry de Bromhead since switching from Gordon Elliott's yard, the winner tracked leader Talking About You until going on after the second last.
From there it was clear he wasn't for catching despite the best efforts of Adagio and the promising Haut En Couleurs.
At the line the winner was three and a quarter lengths to the good with 11/8 favourite Zanahiyr plugging on for fourth having been tapped for toe when the tempo increased. Tritonic never really got into it from near the back of the field and was the disappointment of the race.
RESULT: 1.20 Cheltenham - JCB Triumph Hurdle
1st QUILIXOS 2/1
2nd Adagio 10/1
3rd Haut En Couleurs 20/1
Click here or on the image below to watch the free video replay
Credit goes to Cullentra team
Blackmore paid tribute to the horse’s former team afterwards, telling ITV Racing: “It’s incredible. Henry’s only had this horse a short time, so all the work went into him at Cullentra stables, so it’s thanks to their work, really.
“Henry just had to get him here on the boat, so big thanks to all them. He’s a smashing horse. And thanks to Cheveley Park for putting me up, it’s brilliant.
The jockey revealed her parents are thoroughly enjoying her exploits at home in Ireland.
She added: “They’re getting a great kick out of it, so it’s brilliant. I know they’d have loved to have been here today, like a lot of people. I’m just happy I’m here and these horses are here.”
De Bromhead said: “It’s been an incredible week. He’s a lovely horse, but we’ve only just got him. He’s a gorgeous horse and I’m pleased for Cheveley Park, as they are great supporters of ours.
“All credit to Gordon and his team as he looked amazing on joining us, we’ve done very little with him. We knew he jumped really well, and had been really impressive before today and he’s a lovely looking horse.
"He’ll be a nice chaser in time. I wouldn’t know about next year, we’ll have a chat and see what everyone wants to do.”
What the others said:
David Pipe, trainer of runner-up Adagio, said: “I’d normally never happily take second, but we’d have taken that before the race as it looked an above average Triumph.
“He had colic not so long ago, so to do that was fantastic, and remember he came out of a claimer. We’ll see how he comes out of this, but he’s quite a tough horse and Aintree is the obvious place if he runs again. There will be lots more good days to have with him.”
Adagio’s jockey Tom Scudamore added: “He’s run super. We were beaten by a better horse on the day, with no excuses, but he’s a fine horse and you have to be happy with that in what looked like a vintage Triumph Hurdle.”
Willie Mullins, trainer of third home Haut En Couleurs and Tax For Max, who was sixth, said: “It was a very good run and we’re delighted with him. He jumped and galloped and he’ll come on a lot for that. We’ll head to Punchestown we think. Tax For Max was very green and it’ll be educational for him for the future.”
Lisa O’Neill, representing Denise Foster, trainer of fourth placed Zanahiyr, the 11-8 favourite, added: “It was a little bit disappointing. He probably ran a bit too keen and struggled to get up the hill after that. We’ll take him home and see how he is after the run before making a decision about running again this season.”
Alan King, trainer of fifth placed Tritonic, said: “He just floundered away a bit on that ground. We’ll see about Aintree, but he might go back on the Flat instead.”
Bookmaker reaction:
Sky Bet, Betfair and Paddy Power all gave the winner a 12/1 quote for next year's Unibet Champion Hurdle.
"Another Racheal Blackmore masterclass, this time on Quilixios who won well in what looked a very good race on paper. The way he quickened up after the last was very impressive. It is always tough for five-year-olds to stamp their authority on the Champion Hurdle division, however, the way this horse won was very taking," said Sky Bet Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners.