Teahupoo stamped his authority on the staying division with a dominant performance in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, Teahupoo was trying to confirm Fairyhouse form with Ballyburn after the pair fought out a thrilling finish to last month’s Hatton’s Grace, with just a nose separating the two on that occasion.
Ballyburn was sent off the 13-8 favourite to reverse that result and it looked as though another duel was on the cards as the duo swept by the front-running Rocky’s Diamond, but Teahupoo (5-2) was clearly travelling much the better and stretched clear when given the signal by Kennedy.
Teahupoo kept galloping all the way to the line to win by seven lengths from the staying-on Bob Olinger, who in turn was a further seven lengths clear of Ballyburn.
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