Ruby Walsh topped and tailed the week
with a winner, making up fully 7 lengths on the run-in to win the
opening Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Noland, but
having to work much less hard on Desert Quest, who drew clear for an
impressive 2½-length win in the closing Vincent O’Brien County
Hurdle. In between, the Irishman also took the William Hill Trophy
Handicap Chase on Dun Doire, trained by Tony Martin, and three
winners were sufficient to make him leading jockey at the Cheltenham
Festival for the second time.

Along with Noland and Desert Quest,
Paul Nicholls also saddled Star De Mohaison, ridden by Barry
Geraghty, to win the Royal & SunAlliance Chase and picked up a
second trainers’ title.

Other notable winners during the week
were Brave Inca in the Champion Hurdle, Newmill in the Queen Mother
Champion Chase, Hairy Molly, who sprang a 33/1 surprise in the
Weatherbys Champion Bumper, My Way De Solzen in the Ladbrokes World
Hurdle and War Of Attrition in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. All
bar My Way De Solzen, who was trained in Wiltshire by Alan King, were
trained in Ireland and contributed to a record-breaking nine wins at
the Cheltenham Festival for Irish trainers.