Cause Of Causes © Photo Healy Racing
Cause Of Causes gave the Irish a sixth winner at Cheltenham on St Patrick's Day when storming home in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.
Victorious in the four-mile National Hunt Chase 12 months ago, Cause Of Causes (9-2) came from way off the pace to turn this three-and-a-quarter-mile test into a procession.
He still had plenty to do at the second-last but made up a massive amount of ground to lead before the final fence.
With his stamina not in question, Cause Of Causes pulled clear on the flat to win by 12 lengths from A Good Skin for trainer Gordon Elliott and owner JP McManus. Silvergrove was half a length back in third, and Knock House was fourth.
It was Jamie Codd's fourth victory in race after Character Building in 2009, Junior in 2011 and The Package 12 months ago.
Widely regarded as one of the best amateurs in the business, lesser jockeys may have panicked with a mile to run but Codd knew his mount stayed strongly having won over four miles on him last year. The favourite Doctor Harper made several errors before falling late on.
Codd said: "He's been a great horse for me, he won here last year. Gordon had him in unbelievable form, I've been riding him a couple of times a week, he loves this time of year, he thrives.
"I'm very grateful to JP (McManus), Gordon's team are fantastic and it's an honour to work with them.
"His biggest asset is he is Flat-bred and has speed, but he stays well. He's not big, but he jumps economically. I tried to get into a rhythm but I was flat out the whole way, we were praying they'd gone too quick so I was just trying to get to the top of the hill on the bridle.
"Once I passed one, I passed six or seven in 10 or 15 strides and I got there too soon."
Elliott, who lost star novice No More Heroes to injury after his run in the RSA Chase, said: "It's been up and down, but we have to keep our head up. We've been in the enclosure with five or six.
"I've had him since he was four and he's run in all the big races, I'm lucky to have him.
"Jamie rides a lot for us and is a big part of our team.
"He's in the National, but he might struggle to get in."
