'He's winning, so that's all that matters' - Albert Bartlett favourite The Yellow Clay leaves it late but remains unbeaten over hurdles

It wasn't pretty, but it wasn't a day for elegance. So The Yellow Clay probably deserves the benefit of the doubt for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and stretching his unbeaten record over hurdles to three from three. 

Those who backed The Yellow Clay from 4-7 to 4-11 were about to throw away their dockets until Sam Ewing managed to get one final surge inside the final 50 yards to collar Fleur In The Park, who led everywhere apart from where it mattered. 

A neck was all that separated the pair at the line and Paddy Power left the winner unchanged at 12-1 favourite for the Albert Bartlett. 

Last season's Grade 2 produced three subsequent Cheltenham Festival winners. It's safe to say there probably won't be three festival winners coming out of this year's race, but you shouldn't judge The Yellow Clay too harshly either. 

"He's winning, so that is all that matters," said Gordon Elliott. "He's learning how to race and he will learn a lot from that. He had his head in front at the right time, which is always a good sign in a horse.

"I'd say the second horse got a good ride. He got the fractions right and kicked at the right time. He nearly caught us. I told Sam not to be in front too soon, so he rode to instructions anyway."

He certainly did. In fact, he couldn't have left it any later. The further he goes, the better The Yellow Clay looks and three miles could bring out even more improvement. 

It was a superb day for Gordon Elliott, Sam Ewing and owner Noel MoranCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

It was a fourth victory for Elliott in the Navan Novice Hurdle following on from No More Heroes (2014), Death Duty (2016) and Ginto (2021).

It was heartbreak for Andy Slattery, better known for his exploits on the Flat these days, but he sees the runner-up Fleur In The Park as a top staying chaser.

"I knew we'd get closer to The Yellow Clay than we did the last day and we were just caught, " he said. "He's going to make a smashing staying chaser in years to come and he's definitely one to look forward to. He's a horse I've loved from day one."

The Yellow Clay was the highlight of a four-timer for Elliott and a treble for Bective Stud, and there was double reason for Noel Moran to celebrate as he also bred him.

"To be honest, I thought we were in trouble after the last. It was a good, battling performance," Moran said. "Battling is certainly an attribute you need in an Albert Bartlett, so it would be no surprise to see him aimed there next spring." 

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