Mark Walsh and JP McManus with grand kids CJ, Cara, Milly, Lauren and Annie following Sire Du Berlais' win © Photo Healy Racing
Sire Du Berlais toughed it out to defend his title in the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle.
The admirable JP McManus-owned gelding completed the Cheltenham-Aintree double for Gordon Elliott and Mark Walsh after taking the equivalent contest at the Festival in March.
He was sent off at 8-1 despite his prior victory and looked like he was not in the mood at all in the first half of the race.
After cantering along at the rear of the field, he edged into the event gradually and came into his own when the race became a stamina test in the final furlong — defeating the strong-travelling Marie’s Rock by three and a quarter lengths, with Flooring Porter (3-1 favourite) another six and a half lengths back in third.
Elliott said: “Unbelievable. To come back at this age and do it again, we’re absolutely delighted.
“Mark gave him a brilliant ride because he was flat to the boards the whole way and he just kept holing him and holding him and he kept picking up — it was brilliant.
“We didn’t do much with him (since Cheltenham). The girls took him to the beach a couple of times since the last day. We actually haven’t done any galloping really. We’ve just kept him happy.
“I’d say we will put him away now. He won’t go to Punchestown, anyway, I don’t think.
“He deserves a holiday now. He has been the horse of a lifetime and we’re lucky to have him.
“To be honest, I thought we were in a bit of trouble today, but he just kept picking up.”
A proud McManus said: “He is a wonderful horse. We are lucky to own him. I was thinking the day wasn’t going to be a going day, but in fairness to Mark, that was an exceptional ride — an exceptional ride.
“The horse doesn’t know his age.”
Of Marie’s Rock, Nicky Henderson said: “As Nico (de Boinville) said she tried her heart out, but the winner was out the back with Champ so it was a remarkable performance by him.”
Gavin Cromwell added of Flooring Porter: “It was probably his best run of the season. We haven’t completely decided whether he will go to Punchestown.”
