MORE Of That rescued the bookmakers on day three of the Cheltenham Festival as Jonjo O’Neill’s unexposed youngster maintained his unbeaten record at the expense of the heavilybacked favourite Annie Power in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Willie Mullins’ Annie Power was supported as if defeat was out of the question and was sent off the 11-8 market leader on her first run over three miles, and as Ruby Walsh loomed up the bookies were fretting. However, Barry Geraghty’s mount had too much power for her to win at 15-2.

Stan James’ Rory Jiwani said: ‘‘The punters were in front early, but the World Hurdle was make or break for us with Annie Power the subject of a huge gamble in recent days and sent off the 11-8 favourite.

‘‘She was by far our worst result with Big Buck’s also a fair loser in the book, but Barry Geraghty came to our rescue on More Of That, just as he had done with Jezki in the Champion Hurdle.

‘‘We’d kept More Of That on side for some time and, even with our top price the field concession today, he was a big winner in the book to put us on top for the day. We make Jonjo O’Neill’s six-year-old 3-1 to come back next year and retain his crown.

‘‘Fingal Bay winning the Pertemps Final was a good result for the punters as he was sent off the 9-2 favourite after strong support all day. And we were staring down the barrel when 3-1 favourite Dynaste took the Ryanair Chase for the first half of a David Pipe and Tom Scudamore double.’’ Paddy Power felt it all came down to the World Hurdle, saying: ‘‘Today was all about the World Hurdle and we got very lucky with Big Buck’s being out of the three and Annie Power beaten with our money back concession if she won.

‘‘The bookies are on top at this stage, but the deciding factor will, as often happens, be the Gold Cup.’’ David Williams of Ladbrokes said: ‘‘The gamble on Annie Power was nothing short of phenomenal. It was a onehorse day and felt like a one horse week, let alone a one horse race. Our advertised price of 9-4 and our money back pledge both boosted turnover to huge levels.

‘‘We were in the rare position of knowing our day would be determined by Annie Power so when More Of That outstayed her up the hill we were able to breathe the biggest sigh of relief in many a year. With Gold Cup day to come it’s massively in the balance.

But if Annie Power had gone in it would have been a knock out blow.’’