Gavin Cromwell claimed back-to-back victories in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham – but with Final Orders rather than defending champion Stumptown who was fourth.
A winner over the course and distance in December, Final Orders (7-1) was ridden by rising star Conor Stone-Walsh, who was winning at the Festival for the first time.
As has been the theme of the meeting, Stone-Walsh had his mount on the pace throughout with Gordon Elliott's Trials day winner and 2-1 favourite Favori De Champdou never far away.
It was that duo who would still be disputing matters as the race began to develop, but an 8lb rise for the market leader appeared to take its toll after the last as Final Orders careered away for a two-and-a-quarter-length triumph.
As well as Stumptown in fourth, Cromwell also saddled the third home in Vanillier.
He said: "The closer we got to the race and the more the ground dried I thought it would play to Final Order’s strengths, but at the same time Stumptown is so good around here. The ground had just gone quick enough for him.
"I knew conditions would really suit Final Orders and Conor was very good on him. He ran really well on Trials day, but his wind was not as good on the softer ground and we actually gave him a little wind surgery after that.
"We were very confident he was in great form coming here and it worked out great.
"He could go for the Grand National if he got in."
By his own high standards Cromwell has endured a quiet season, highlighted by the underwhelming performances of last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin, who on Friday will defend his title with plenty to prove.
"We came here this week with a nice squad of horses, but it’s still very difficult and we probably had more fancied ones last year. To get one on the board is brilliant," the trainer added.
James Bowen quickly doubled his Cheltenham Festival haul after guiding 9-2 favourite Jingko Blue to a commanding BetMGM Cup success.
Backed into favouritism from a double-figure price in the morning, Bowen – who opened his Festival account in the final race on day one – was always in control aboard Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old as he made every yard.
A host of Irish challengers loomed, but Jingko Blue was never for catching as he stormed up the Cheltenham hill to give Henderson a third winner of the week.
"He’s not the most straightforward horse, he’s always a bit creeky, but he ran a good race in the Relkeel here on Trials day and to go and win a race like this he’s earnt his corn for the year anyway that’s for sure," said the the Seven Barrows handler.
"It will keep Tony Barney (owner) quiet for at least a day, then on Friday, god knows what happens (with Jango Baie in the Gold Cup)!
"This horse just couldn’t jump fences and he was untidy enough over hurdles to be honest, but he was good today and it was a great piece of riding, because to make the running wasn’t in plan anything!
"Even James just said he ended up there and he’s actually quickened away at the end. Nobody else got into it in the end."
HMS Seahorse, trained by Paul Nolan, was fatally injured in a fall at the final flight.
Six-time Irish champion Flat jockey Colin Keane is now also a Cheltenham Festival winning-rider after expertly guiding The Mourne Rambler to success in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
Trained by Noel Meade, the 15-2 chance had impressed at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, with his handler calling on the services of a man whom he had enjoyed Group One success with on the level for the five-year-old's big date with Prestbury park.
Chris Gordon’s Bass Hunter, the leading British-trained contender, attempted to make all as he did at Ascot in December in the hands of the trainer’s son, Freddie.
However, the strong Irish pursuit loomed heading down hill, with Keane aboard The Mourne Rambler one of those weaving his way through traffic into a prime position to strike.
Swinging the bend for home the Juddmonte number one asked his mount for extra and the five-year-old turned on the after burners to storm up the Cheltenham hill and add Festival success to the many big races the pilot has landed around the world.
It is a victory that caps a fine few days for Keane, having got engaged to Ger Lyons’ daughter Kerri on Sunday.
He said: "It’s up there with my career highlights, I’m fortunate enough to have had some great days and this was a bucket list item of mine to tick off – just riding here, never mind winning – so this is brilliant.
"Riding in this wasn’t on my mind until Noel rang me and how often do you get the opportunity to ride in a race like this, as trainers have their jockeys. When Noel rang me, it was something I grabbed with both hands and an easy 'yes’."
It was a welcome return to the Festival winner’s enclosure for Meath-based Meade, who was successful at the meeting for the seventh time having landed his first success since Jeff Kidder in 2021.
Meade said: "It’s marvellous and we’ve only got around 15 jumpers so it’s great to be back in this winner’s enclosure.
"It’s probably about a third of what we used to have and we have around 45 Flat horses, but this is just great."
Venetia Williams has endured a testing season, but landed a blow at the meeting where it matters most, as 66-1 outsider Martator denied Jazzy Matty back-to-back Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual victories.
Williams said: "Everybody here knows this is the place you spend your whole life as a National Hunt trainer trying to have winners. It's been quite a challenge this season. Everybody has worked through a very wet winter which usually should suit us, but it’s been tough.
"From the angle I had no idea whether he’d won. I thought he had and then people in our team around me were saying it was close, so then the doubt came in.
"It’s so rewarding for everybody in the yard and all the work they put in to have this horse put in a a performance like that. He’s always been an individual horse with a lot going on in his head, but he was practically cantering coming into the winner’s enclosure."
