Gordon Elliott was visibly emotional when Wodhooh won the Martin Pipe last season, giving him his first winner of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. Elliott had once again endured a barren spell this week, until his star mare bailed him out once more.
For many, Wodhooh was the Thursday banker and she delivered the goods under a cool Jack Kennedy ride. Kennedy exuded confidence throughout, and despite hitting the front soon enough, had enough in the tank to fend off Jade De Grugy.
“She’s some mare” – Jack Kennedy
Speaking via the Racing Post, Kennedy beamed: “she’s some mare. It’s been a frustrating couple of days. But when you’re waiting on a mare like this, you know you have a real shot of getting on the board.
“I’m delighted,” Kennedy continued. “She can hit a little flat spot, which she did at Leopardstown last time. She hit that flat spot and I got after her and I ended up there way too soon. It was a long, long way up the straight, but she’s so honest. She probably got me out of a hole.
“Thankfully for Gordon and all the team they haven’t had to wait until the final race this year, so a massive thanks to all of them for all the work they put in.”
After failing to land a blow on the Tuesday, with the sole placed effort coming with Brighterdaysahead, fears of a repeat of last year will have crept into Elliott’s mind. Favour De Champdou was a beaten favourite on the Wednesday, further adding doubts of a winner. Old School Outlaw missed out to a big priced winner in the Dawn Run, before Wodhood belatedly picked them off the floor.
“It’s draining when you come over here” – Gordon Elliott
Elliott was spoke with a sense of relief, as his winner came a day earlier this time. “It was emotional last year, but this year I think I’m going to enjoy it. It’s hard to get winners here and we just weren’t bouncing. Thankfully, we’re on the board now and Jack gave her a peach of a ride.
“We knew today was our best chances. I have a winner on the board now. I’m delighted for myself and all my staff and owners and all the team. It’s draining when you come over here, you do start thinking about it and feeling it. But that’s why we’re here.”
Despite his wonder mare saving his week once more, Elliott will be hungry for further success as the curtain is drawn on what’s been another memorable Cheltenham Festival.