Cause of Causes has romped home to win the Cross Country Chase by nine lengths.
That win in the Cross Country Chase, over three miles and six furlongs, makes it three wins in the last three years at the Cheltenham Festival, following up the win in the Kim Muir 12 months ago and in the National Hunt Chase in 2015.
Cause of Causes, ridden by Jamie Codd, were among the market leaders for the Cross Country event at 4/1, with Canflow the pre-race favourite at 7/2.
The French gelding, Amazing Comedy, led to the second last but could not hold on in the midst of moves from a trio of JP McManus-owned runners, as well as Bless The Wings. At the final obstacle, Gordon Elliott's charge found something extra and won with relatively ease from Bless The Wings who was 12/1 pre-race, with Canflow finishing third.
Elliott said after the race:
“He seems to come well at Cheltenham every year.
“He’s an absolute superstar and we love him to bits. Jamie also gave him a great ride.
“It was a great result as we also had the second.
“If you have a plan, you have to try and do it right.
“We’ve had an unbelievable week. It’s been a dream come true.
“He’s ran at four festivals, he’s a remarkable little horse, he is an absolute dinger, he’s marvellous."
