Istabraq celebrates hat-trick

Istabraq overcame a late injury scare to hit just the right note for a third successive victory in yesterday's Smurfit Champion Hurdle, and he wasn't alone.

As the horse's owner, J.P. McManus, received his trophy to an accompaniment of "Ole, ole" from an exuberant crowd that also flaunted banners including "Istabraq for President", the comedian Brendan Grace joined him on the presentation area.

Grace sang his ode to Istabraq, and the thousands of Irish couldn't get enough of the sentiment: "You're in the lead with fire and glory . . . Istabraq, Istabraq, we'll cheer you home."

The crowd roared its approval almost as loudly as it roared the winner, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Charlie Swan, up the final hill, because up to 11 a.m. yesterday Istabraq wasn't even a certain runner.

The nose bleed that dominated the pre-race headlines also dominated Mr O'Brien's thoughts, and it was only because it was the Champion Hurdle that Istabraq was allowed to run. "It could have been a disaster, but this is a horse in a lifetime," a relieved Mr O'Brien said. Because of Monday evening's nose bleed, the renowned gambler Mr McManus confessed he wouldn't back his horse even if it had drifted to evens favourite instead of the 8/15 it started at.

Istabraq became just the fifth horse to complete the Champion Hurdle hat-trick, and immediately it seemed thoughts turned to him becoming the first ever to win four.