Corbetts Cross provided trainer Emmet Mullins with a poignant victory in the National Hunt Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.

The race was run in memory of the handler's late grandmother Maureen, who passed away aged 94 last month.

Ridden by Derek O'Connor, the JP McManus-owned seven-year-old bolted up in the 3m5f contest to win by 17 lengths, with the trainer's cousin Patrick finishing back in second for his father Willie on Embassy Gardens.

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The 15-8 chance travelled well throughout and let Mr Vango and Gina Andrews make the running.

As the race wore on Corbetts Cross advanced, and up the hill he pulled effortlessly clear of Patrick Mullins and Embassy Gardens.

Mullins – the son of renowned horse transporter George Mullins – said: “It was a great honour from the Jockey Club to name the race after granny and it’s extra special that we were able to win it.

“We were always very hopeful, I suppose he had the form in the book to be second in the Arkle today and he was able to show the same turn of foot over this longer trip. Derek got him into a great rhythm and he showed his true colours today, I think.

“The trip was probably a little worry with ground being so heavy, even though he has plenty form on heavy ground. I think having Derek on board was the main reason we decided to run in this race, to have his expertise is a big advantage.

“That race is a special test, so we’ll take it one day at a time and see how he is after it.”

O’Connor said: “It was a super performance, Emmet has done a wonderful job, he had him trained to perfection and he turned up in great shape.

“He had a very pleasing schooling session last Thursday morning in the hood. It’s not for me to say where he’ll go, but that was a very good performance.

“I have a nice book of rides for the week, but today was important to get us off to a good note.”

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