Ireland drew first blood at the Cheltenham Festival today but not from the expected quarter as Sausalito Bay carried off first prize in the Capel Cure Sharp Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Most of the visitors from across the Irish Sea had pinned their hopes on Youlneverwalkalone, who was sent off the 5-4 favourite.
But it was a spirited display from 14-1 shot Sausalito Bay that ensured a flying start for the Irish.
Making much of the running in the hands of Paul Carberry, he kept on gamely from the final flight to deny Best Mate by three parts of a length with a further one and a quarter lengths back to Youlneverwalkalone.
Sausalito Bay, a five-times winner on the Flat when trained by Ian Balding, is now unbeaten in three outings over timber.
'It's unbelievable - I can die a happy man now,' said trainer Noel Meade, celebrating his first Festival win.
'He's very tough, he stays forever and he's a brilliant jumper. I wasn't worried about the two miles but I thought the gallop would be important and I couldn't believe how steady they were going.
Best Mate's trainer Henrietta Knight said: 'He'll be a really exciting horse for next year. He got a little outpaced coming down the hill and the race wasn't really run to suit.
'If he was my horse he wouldn't run again this season but the owners may want him to go to Aintree or Punchestown.'
Youlneverwalkalone's jockey Conor O'Dwyer said: 'No excuses. We got a good run round but it wasn't the quickest Supreme Novices' I've ever ridden in and we could have done with them going a bit faster.'
