Ivanovich Gorbatov gave Aidan O'Brien his first Festival winner since the mighty Istabraq when storming home in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
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[/raw]#CheltenhamFestival
— BetVictor (@BetVictor) March 18, 2016
A winner for the O'Briens at Cheltenham as Ivanovich Gorbatov wins
More to come next year? pic.twitter.com/ttUdcPEv1X
O'Brien has very much concentrated on the Flat since Istabraq captured the third of his Champion Hurdles in 2000, but Ivanovich Gorbatov (9-2 favourite) was well worth the wait.
O'Brien's son Joseph, who has recently retired from riding, has been supervising the young hurdler's preparation ahead of getting his full training licence and Ivanovich Gorbatov, owned by JP McManus, delivered in style to give jockey Barry Geraghty his first success of the week.
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[/raw]Joseph O'Brien mobbed by journalists as he trains his first Cheltenham Festival winner, Ivanovich Gorbatov, at 22. pic.twitter.com/Jc8lB8FFFT
— Emma Berry (@collingsberry) March 18, 2016
Relishing the better ground, Ivanovich Gorbatov made up for his defeat at Leopardstown to defeat two horses from the all-conquering Willie Mullins' stable with Apple's Jade beaten a length and a quarter in second and Footpad six lengths away in third.
