Cheltenham Festival 2019: Well-backed favourite Sire Du Berlais wins a thriller in the Pertemps
The Gordon Elliott-trained hurdler stormed home to give Barry Geraghty a quickfire double
FAVOURITE backers were in clover as Sire Du Berlais came from the clouds to win the Pertemps Final.
The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old was delivered to perfection by an inspired Barry Geraghty.
The gelding looked to be in deep trouble at the halfway stage following a number of errors interference from his rivals.
But his in-form rider managed to get him out of trouble approaching the home-turn, and he sprouted wings after the last.
Debra Hamer's Tobefair (40-1) was the last to throw down a challenge, but Sire Du Berlais (4-1f) held on for a big win, with the strong-travelling Not Many Left (16-1) back in third.
Elliott said: "I was happy the whole way through the race.
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"He was short of room at the top of the hill, but Barry gave him a great ride and he never panicked. I knew when it opened up he would stay going which was brilliant.
"I thought until 50 yards before the line we were still under a bit of pressure. It looked the race to go for with him, so it is great.
"I'll speak to the owner and see what we do next, but to win the Pertemps is great.
"We had a very slow start, but it goes to show if you keep your head down and keep trying you will get there."