Four days after an expensive flop Down Under, Martin Pipe bounced back on the course he has made his own with a remarkable one-two in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham today.
The record-breaking trainer found the Melbourne Cup a race too far on Tuesday as his hot fancy Far Cry beat only one home at Flemington in Australia`s greatest race and finished lame to boot.
But back in Britain normal service resumed for Pipe with a 291{-1, treble, highlighted by 5-1 favourite Lady Cricket`s romp under Tony McCoy which gave him a third win in five years in the first big race of the jumps season.
McCoy`s championship rival Richard Johnson claimed second on stable-companion Exit Swinger, who was in vain pursuit from a long way out and beaten 10 lengths by the winner at the line.
And for good measure Majadou took fifth place for Pipe in the #80,000 event under Tom Scudamore, just behind third-placed Feathered Leader and fourth home Red Marauder.
'It was disappointing on Tuesday but this has been a great afternoon,' said Pipe. 'Although having two earlier winners on the card almost put me off as I thought we couldn`t possibly have a third!'
Lady Cricket had been beaten in three of her last four starts last season and finished tailed off when favourite for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase here.
But her trainer was not surprised to see the mare emulate his previous winners Challenger du Luc and Cyfor Malta.
'She disappointed a little bit last season but she has had a nice break and she likes Cheltenham,' Pipe said.
'She has improved a bit and when Tony McCoy came down to school 60 horses one day when he was suspended she really schooled well.
'It was a difficult choice for Tony as there isn`t much between Lady Cricket and Exit Swinger but we thought he had made the right decision.
'She was a bit keen early on but Tony settled her and she jumped very well today. She is only six and Exit Swinger is just five and he has run very well.'
The victorymaintained McCoy`s narrow edge in the championship race over Johnson, who felt Exit Swinger was beaten fair and square.
'He gave me a very good ride but there are no excuses as he was beaten by a better horse on the day,' the rider said.
Pipe had been quick to snap up Johnson for his second-string and added: 'It`s good for the public to have two great jockeys fighting it out but there is a long way to go in the championship _ it`s not Christmas yet.'
Owner David Johnson`s colours had also been carried by Challenger du Luc and Cyfor Malta and he said: 'To win this race once is fantastic, to win it twice is something of a dream, but to win it for a third time is unbelievable.'
McCoy had worn the same silks when driving Montreal to a length-and-a-quarter victory over Kadarann in the opening Jet UK Three Year Old Novices` Hurdle.
The winner, making his debut for Martin Pipe after two runs over hurdles in France, earned a 20-1 quote from the Tote, Ladbrokes and Coral for theElite Racing Club Triumph Hurdle back at Cheltenham in March.
'He is only a baby and he is still learning so I was pleased with that performance,' said Pipe.
'It was a tough race for his first time in Britain and he jumped well, battled hard and kept going. He is a possible for the Triumph but will be a nice chaser in time.'
Amateur Tom Scudamore also had to be at his strongest as he landed the biggest win of his career on Maid Equal, who short-headed Flying Gunner in a desperate finish to the #30,000-added Tote Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.
'It is a great feeling to win at Cheltenham _ even better than when I won on Star Traveller here last year,' Scudamore said.
'I thought I might have got back up again but I wasn`t sure.'
Scudamore`s father Peter, a former champion jump jockey, missed the race as he is in Australia for a charity race.
But grandfather Michael, who won the 1959 Grand National on Oxo, said: 'That was a great thrill _ riding is what Tom always wantedto do.'
