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Endeavour is great in Byrne Group Plate

The David Pipe trained Great Endeavour romped home for an 18-1 surprise victory
The David Pipe trained Great Endeavour romped home for an 18-1 surprise victory

David Pipe had to wait until day three of the Cheltenham Festival to strike gold but Great Endeavour made it two on the day with a bold display of jumping to win the Byrne Group Plate.

Pipe had earlier been on the mark with Buena Vista in the Pertemps Final, and Great Endeavour was keen not to be outdone by his stablemate.

Never far from the pace set by the veteran Mister McGoldrick, 3lb claimer Danny Cook kicked on approaching the final fence and was three lengths clear of his pursuers.

From Dawn To Dusk and Sunnyhillboy began to close and for a few strides it looked as if Great Endeavour was floundering, but the 18-1 chance found more for pressure in the third colours of owner David Johnson.

Sunnyhillboy got up for second, a length and a quarter adrift, beating From Dawn To Dusk with Mister McGoldrick plugging on for fourth.

Cook, riding his first Festival winner, said: ‘It's brilliant. It's what it's all about, not just winning here but riding here.

‘He's a really good traveller on the bridle. David said the trip might be a bit on the sharp said so to ride him handy but don't be in front too long.

‘The (good) ground has probably been the making of him.’

Pipe added: ‘We've got a great team, Hadden (Frost) won earlier and obviously Danny (Cook) has given this fella a great ride.

‘He won on him earlier in the season at Towcester. He was a bit disappointing the last couple of times, but when Timmy (Murphy) rode him last time, he said he would appreciate much better ground.

‘It's brilliant for everyone at home. A lot of hard work (goes into the yard), a lot of days when the trainer is very miserable and grumpy and they put up with me.’

JP McManus, owner of the runner-up, could offer no excuse for the 6-1 favourite's defeat.
He said: ‘We were beaten by a better horse on the day and it's as simple as that.’

Sarah Hobbs, wife of trainer Philip, said of From Dawn To Dusk: ‘If it hadn't been for one mistake, who knows what might have happened.

‘The key to him is the ground so hopefully we'll find something for him at Aintree.’

Sue Smith, trainer of Mister McGoldrick, added: ‘He just seems to love it around here and he jumps so well. For a 13-year-old he's unbelievable.’

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