Cheltenham Festival 2017 – Tiger Roll gives Gordon Elliott a hat-trick on the first day of the Festival with a win in the National Hunt Chase
Gordon Elliott was in dreamland at Cheltenham as he landed a treble on the first day of the Festival with Tiger Roll who added another Festival win to his CV
TIGER ROLL handed trainer Gordon Elliott a hat-trick on the first day of the Festival with a win in the JT McNamara National Hunt Chase.
Superbly ridden by Lisa O'Neill - who was recording her first Festival win - Tiger Roll tanked through the race despite making a number of jumping errors.
Missed Approach ran a screamer in second while Haymount stayed on stoutly to take third.
Arpege D'Alene ran on well for fourth.
O'Neill said: "It's surreal, to be honest. It's an overwhelming feeling.
"I was just hoping up the hill that there was nothing there to pass me.
"It's a good team effort and it's absolutely brilliant."
Elliott said of the jockey: "She's decent and is an absolute star.
"She pre-trains our horses and does everything for us.
"She's an absolute star and I'm delighted for her."
Elliott added of the winner: "I knew after three fences he was on a going day.
"He's a Triumph Hurdle winner and he's won here twice. He's never been moving so well at home.
"I can't believe it. To train three winners on the first day of Cheltenham. I thought if I had one this year I'd be delighted. It's a credit to the staff I have at home and the owners and the horses. It's brilliant."