Teahupoo cemented his position at the top of the staying hurdling tree with a devastating display in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown.

Gordon Elliott’s charge could only finish fourth when 3-1 joint-favourite for the race 12 months ago – but victory this year could have been called a long way from home as the seven-year-old was ridden with supreme confidence by Jack Kennedy.

The 5-6 favourite travelled menacingly throughout the contest before putting the race to bed with ease once entering the straight, seeing off the enigmatic Asterion Forlonge by six and a half lengths.

It is the first time this century the winner of the equivalent race at the Cheltenham Festival has followed up at the
Punchestown Festival and the Robcour-owned stayer finishes the season unbeaten having successfully defended his Hatton’s Grace crown in early December.

He has been trimmed to 5-2 favourite from 3s by Paddy Power to repeat his Stayers’ Hurdle heroics at Prestbury Park next March and for now appears an unstoppable force over three miles and timber.

A delighted Elliott said: “It was great for the horse and great for Jack, he has a big battle (jockeys’ title with Paul Townend) and it’s going to be a long tough week.

“He said he was stuck in a bit of a pocket behind Paul and he had to get out. He said the ground might be as quick as he wants it, but he was very good. He’s a great horse.”

#horseracing #horse #horses

Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME

Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.

Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa

You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm

Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs