Douvan's stunning winning run came crashing to a stunning end as Special Tiara claimed victory in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Willie Mullins' Douvan had won 14 races on the bounce and went into Tuesday's feature race as the 2-9 favourite.

But under Ruby Walsh, the seven-year-old struggled to keep up with 11-1 shot Special Tiara, who set the pace under Noel Fehily and fended off Fox Norton to win by a head.

Douvan at the top of the hill "knew he was beaten" according to Walsh. Mullins is still looking for his first win of the festival

Fehily, who won the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, said: "Unbelievable. He's such a great ride, he's everything a two-mile chaser should be. He's a very good horse.

Noel Fehily jumped consistently well on Special Tiara (
Image:
REUTERS)
Fehily begins celebrating, as Douvan remains too far back (
Image:
REUTERS)

"I didn't so (beat Douvan), but I thought I had a great chance of being second. I got over the last and was surprised something hadn't come to me, but I knew he wasn't stopping.

"He has one way of running and that's flat to the mat and jump - I just let him get on with it.

"I've always loved two-mile chasers, the Champion Chase is the one you want to win. To win it is fantastic."

Fehily celebrates his success (
Image:
REUTERS)

Henry de Bromhead, the winning trainer, said: "It's an amazing day, I'm just so pleased for everyone involved.

"He seemed in great form coming into it, but it was hard to believe (could win) with Douvan and everything else - Douvan had looked so good.

"For our lad, he just tries his heart out and no-one deserves it more.

"I thought he jumped the slickest he's ever jumped. Often he jumps a bit high. Incredible.

"Any day you win a Grade One at Cheltenham is just an amazing day."

Top three

1. Special Tiara 11/1

2. Fox Norton 7/1

3. Sir Valentino 33/1

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