WATCH: Limerick owner JP McManus celebrates big race Cheltenham Festival success

LIMERICK owner JP McManus enjoyed big race success on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival when Sire Du Berlais ground down Dashel Drasher late on in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle as the big-race outsiders fought out a thrilling finish.

At one stage it looked as if Flooring Porter was about to join the Festival immortals and secure his third straight victory in the race, but his tank emptied quicker than in the previous two years and he was passed heading to the last by Dashel Drasher who set sail for home in the hands of Rex Dingle.

A length to the good jumping the final flight, Jeremy Scott’s admirable 10-year-old stuck his head down as the Gordon Elliott-trained pair of Sire Du Berlais and Teahupoo were breathing down his neck.

But while the 5-2 favourite could not get by in the hands of Davy Russell, Dashel Drasher had no answer to the late thrust of the 33-1 shot winner who edged his way to a three-quarters of a length verdict.

The #CheltenhamFestival specialist does it again! Sire Du Berlais runs out a 33/1 winner of the G1 Stayers' Hurdle under Mark Walsh for @gelliott_racing

2023: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
2020: Pertemps Final
2019: Pertemps Final pic.twitter.com/k6PCJD6FaQ

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 16, 2023

Dashel Drasher was a brave second at 40-1 and Teahupoo a further neck back in third – but there was a change to the placings in the stewards’ room as it was deemed Dashel Drasher had caused interference at the last that was sufficient to deny Teahupoo second spot.

A runner-up behind Flooring Porter in this in 2021 and also a dual winner of the Pertemps in both 2019 and 2020, the 11-year-old Sire Du Berlais was somewhat the forgotten horse of the race and handed Cullentra House handler Elliott his first victory in this premier staying hurdling contest.

Winning owner JP McManus said: “I thought he ran well in Navan the last day as he was giving a lot of weight away and was running on well at the end. I thought he deserved to take his chance.

"We're absolutely thrilled."

A 1-2 now for @gelliott_racing in the @paddypower Stayers' Hurdle with Teahupoo promoted to second following a stewards' enquiry

The trainer discusses Sire Du Berlais' third #CheltenhamFestival success in the G1 highlight pic.twitter.com/EfvJmZTd2G

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 16, 2023

“I’ve not had too many 33-1 winners old but old Creon (2004 Pertemps Final 50-1) won at a big price and Kadoun (2006 Pertemps Final 50-1) but this one I’m afraid went unbacked but still we will just enjoy it just the same.

"You better ask somebody else why he is so good around Cheltenham. Gordon has done some job on him.

“We were kind of training him for the Pertemps but he came over here to qualify and for some reason he didn’t run. I don’t think he travelled over well or something so Gordon didn’t run him and as a result he has ended up in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

"I thought he had a little chance. I thought after the last he would run up the hill well but I didn’t know how the others would. I knew he would give it his lot.”

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said: “After a hurdle or two I knew he was in a good rhythm. Of course it’s a surprise, but Sire Du Berlais can do that – he’s either first or last.

“He stayed on well up the hill in fairness to him and Mark (Walsh) gave him a brilliant ride.

“It’s great to win the race. We were beaten a short head in a Grade One yesterday (with Gerri Colombe), but it’s a great game and it’s great to be here.

“We couldn’t get him qualified for the Pertemps Final. It just didn’t work out for us with ground one day and he probably didn’t look that well handicapped.

“He doesn’t do anything too exciting as he minds himself, but that’s why he’s still going at his age.

“I thought Teahupoo would win. He travelled into it and ran well.”