War Of Attrition - another for Ireland.

By Dave Ord

For Kicking King read War Of Attrition.

Ireland has a new chasing star and another totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

Owner Micheal O'Leary must have been tempted to switch his charge to the Ryanair Chase. After all he owns the sponsors.

But there is only one Gold Cup and from a long way out only one winner.

War Of Attrition was always pulling the proverbial cart under Connor O'Dwyer and when he was in front three out, it was clear the race was for the places.

His fencing was immaculate - and spectacular over the last two.

Hedgehunter was there to expose any weakness, sadly for him there wasn't any.

The winner looked a worthy champion, the real deal. Now the key is to come back and defend the crown.

Injury meant Kicking King couldn't. Should he return on song, his clashes with War Of Attrition will be something to savour.

Hedgehunter looked a good winner of the John Smith's Grand National last April. Now he looks a very good one. He is 4/1 to win it again next month with Ladbrokes.

All of the formlines here tie in with Beef Or Salmon who again didn't give his running. The old horse had the form to win but not the track.

He was taken off his feet and made costly mistakes. This race does not play to his strengths.

Forget The Past in contrast ran a personal best to give Ireland a one-two-three in the great race for the first time.

He's only eight and has his best year's ahead of him. The bad news is War Of Attrition is seven.

It has been a Festival of change. The Hardy Eustace reign is over, Moscow Flyer and Baracouda no longer rule the roost.

But here we have a winner who could have pretensions of joining those champions in the list of multiple Festival winners.

Let's hope he is back sound and on song to defend his crown in 365 days time.

St Patrick's Day seems to mean many things to many people.

Some choose to wear a two foot tall Guinness hats, ginger wigs or several bushes of shamrock.

To me the best way to celebrate it is with a one-two-three in the most prestigious horserace of the year.

In more ways than one this was Ireland's day.