Cheltenham Festival: Sir Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp celebrate winners

There was much talk of Irish domination going into the third day, as they led the home team by 10 victories to three, largely thanks to six triumphs for Willie Mullins.

But the score was pegged back to 12-8, with Inothewayurthinkin a second Irish winner in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase after Elliott’s Stayers’ Hurdle success.

Derek O’Connor guided the 13-8 favourite to an eight-length victory for Gavin Cromwell and owner JP McManus.

The fifth British victory of the day came courtesy of Golden Ace under Lorcan Williams to give Somerset trainer Jeremy Scott his first Festival success.

Golden Ace, a relatively cheap purchase at £12,000, beat Irish hotpots Brighterdaysahead and Jade De Grugy in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

And Cheltenham said a fond farewell to Paisley Park, the 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle winner who was retired after finishing 10th in his sixth appearance in the race.

Paisley Park, named after the late singer Prince’s home and recording studio, won 11 of his 31 races for trainer Emma Lavelle and owner Andrew Gemell, who has been blind since birth.

“I don’t know what is next for him, Andrew would like to keep him in his garden,” said Lavelle.