DELTA Work confirmed the form of his Savills Chase success with a brave win in the Irish Gold Cup.
Gordon Elliott’s top-class chaser stayed on dourly to once again lower the colours of Kemboy, with Presenting Percy third in a Leopardstown cracker.
It had been an up-and-down Dublin Racing Festival for Elliott and Gigginstown, but they combined to claim the biggest prize of the weekend.
The race was run at a strong gallop thanks to tearaway Cadmium, and it was Kemboy, who made a shuddering mistake with around six to jump, who committed for home first.
Presenting Percy cruised into a share of the lead rounding the final bend, but Delta Work was the one who picked up best under pressure and he galloped home strongly to land the €250,000 feature.
All roads now lead to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Coral cutting Delta Work into 6-1 from 8-1.
In the preceding race, the legendary Faugheen continued to roll back the years with a game victory in the Flogas Novices Chase.
The 12-year-old, who has won 11 Grade 1’s during an illustrious career, jumped and travelled well as market rival Battleoverdoyen cut out the running.
Faugheen quickened up best at the bottom of the straight and he had enough up his sleeve to fend off the late challenge of Easy Game by half a length. Battleoverdoyen fell when held at the last.
The victory sparked wild celebrations in the stands, and Willie Mullins admitted the success was emotional.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I’ve had lots of winners before, but this was special, I think.
“They said it was special when he won down in Limerick at Christmas, but I wasn’t there.
“This is fantastic here – it’s probably one of the most special winners I’ve ever had.
“It was a proper Grade 1 test, the way he battled. Paul was good on him and he got the jumps when he wanted to get them.
“I thought our other horse was going to beat him coming up the stands rail, which is probably better ground, but he dug deep.”
