Tell Us More wins as Avant Tout fatally injured

THIS race was as much about the first fence as the last as leading Hennessy Gold Cup contender Avant Tout was pulled up sharply and fatally injured after jumping the first before Tell Us More rallied gamely after the last to take the spoils.

Pre-race focus had been on Avant Tout, who had only Native River ahead of him in the market for the Hennessy and finished last season with two good wins in novice company.

However, after jumping the first deliberately he was quickly pulled out of the race on the short run to the second fence with jockey Paul Townend clearly not happy with his mount.

Avant Tout suffered a deep laceration to his off-fore tendon and racecourse veterinary surgeon Tom Burns confirmed he had to be put down after arriving at the Anglesey Veterinary Clinic on the Curragh.

Tell Us More led home a one-two for trainer Gordon Elliott and owner Gigginstown House Stud with front-runner Alisier D'Irlande weakening before the penultimate fence.

As the race went on Alisier D'Irlande's jumping got a little less slick and a little slower and he was gradually caught and passed by the Gigginstown duo, with Tell Us More moving to the lead going well.

Two good leaps in the home straight was all Tell Us More needed to fend off The Game Changer and that is what he produced. He also stuck he head down and galloped willingly to the line to take the honours under jockey Keith Donoghue.

Also on Sunday

DE PLOTTING SHED continued both his and trainer Gordon Elliott's good form by making all under an assured ride from 7lb claimer Cian Collins.

Facing Triumph Hurdle winner Ivanovich Gorbatov and the well-related Jett, De Plotting Shed was excellent at his obstacles and had more than enough to reply the late challenge of Jett to win his third race in a row.

Ivanovich Gorbatov was not so slick when jumping and produced little when asked for his effort. He beat only outsider All Souls home.