Trainer Henry de Bromhead celebrated his first win at this year’s Cheltenham Festival with Heart Wood winning the Ryanair Chase on day three.
Fact To File, who was ahead of Heart Wood in the race 12 months ago, was on track to win again but withdrew 45 minutes before the start when the field was unsuitable for JP McManus’ horse.
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Jonbon, who started the race next, looked to be in the best position to win, but jockey Darragh O’Keeffe guided Heart Wood across the line.
A 9-2 shot ended in a 2-1 lead for Jonbon and a 3-1 lead for Banbridge.
O’Keefe told ITV: “I’m extremely grateful to be racing for Henry.
“I would love to have him be the winner on the board. The horse is running well and the colors have always been great for me.”
Owner Brian Acheson paid tribute to jockey O’Keeffe’s ride.
“Dara on horseback is a hero. He’s done it now,” Acheson said.
“I’m delighted for him. It’s not about us as owners, it’s about jockeys and trainers. We shouldn’t be seen, we shouldn’t be heard!”
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White Noise got the shock of the day by finishing first in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle with a score of 40-1.
Odds favorite Bambino Fever made a mistake over the hill and failed to get back into contention.
Emotional jockey Tom Bellamy told ITV that riding the winner at Cheltenham marked the realization of a lifelong ambition.
Bellamy said: “I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life. I can’t believe it, I’m speechless.
“I was literally crying. I skipped school and went to Cheltenham to watch the game; now I can’t believe I’m here.”
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McManus secured the first winner of the day in the Novices’ Chase as Meetmebythesea beat Golden Dancer 9-1 to 25-1.
Trainer Ben Pauling told BBC Radio 5 Sports: “He did well today. He jumped well.
“It looked like he had a little bit left at the end. Hopefully he still has a little bit left to come.
“It means a lot to everyone, but to be here to raise a winner for one of the greatest in the business [McManus] It means a lot to us. This is an important victory. “
Jack Kennedy rode cheap favorite Wodhooh to victory in the Fillies’ Hurdle, trainer Gordon Elliott’s first win at this year’s festival.
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Home By The Lee, a 33-1 outsider, won the Stayers’ Hurdle from Ballyburn and Bob Olinger.
Trainer Joseph O’Brien told BBC Radio 5 Sports the horse was “tough as nails”.
