Favourite Mount Ida surges from the back to win the Kim Muir and give stand-in trainer Denise Foster second Cheltenham Festival winner, just a week on from taking over from disgraced trainer Gordon Elliott
Irish domination continued when Mount Ida put up an amazing performance to come from last to first and claim the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.
Leading two out in the hands of Jack Kennedy, the 3-1 favourite gradually went clear to give Denise Foster a second Festival winner after taking over the licence at Gordon Elliott’s Cullentra House Stables.
Kennedy said: ‘I was lucky they were going quick, she was doing her best work at the finish.
Mount Ida surged from the back to claim a memorable Kim Muir Challenge Cup triumph
‘We thought she’d stay, but I’d planned it going a bit smoother in the early part. I just had to make do what I could from there, luckily I had a very willing partner.
‘We were hoping she’d run a big race, we thought she might be thereabouts if things went smoothly, but I thought my chances were out of the window after four fences.
‘At the top of the hill I was fairly happy and I ended up getting there too soon.
‘It was a massive thrill, especially after the day I’d had, probably one of the most satisfactory winners I’ve had.’