Cheltenham Festival 2013: Gold Cup - in pictures

Here's what the day is all about - The Gold Cup Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

It's going to be a wet day at Cheltenham judging by the the rain-splattered nose of the statue of the triple winner Gold Cup winner Best Mate … Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

And the big raindrop on the nose of the statue of Jonjo O'Neil riding Dawn Run when they won the Gold Cup Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Luckily a lot of the punters came prepared ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Or took shelter under the main scoreboard ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Or even in hedges Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Though to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, the rain was mere drizzle compared to what they endured on the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

In order to lead his group, this guide has eschewed the usual umbrella for a My Little Pony figure on a stick Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A mud-splattered Barry Geraghty walks back to the weighing room after he failed to have any success with Punjabi in the second race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Though of course the weather didn't deter the racegoers from watching some top-notch racing Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Steaming horses head back to the stables after running Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Trainer Willie Mullins talks to the jockey AP McCoy who came in to replace the injured Davy Russell on Sir Des Champs Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The double-winner Kauto Star parades in front of the stands before the big race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The jockeys Barry Geraghty and Ruby Walsh share a joke as their horses get a sighter of the first fence before the start Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

All eyes on the track as the race gets underway Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Leading over the first fence is Long Run with Sam Waley-Cohen on board Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Followed by (left to right) Sir Des Champs, Bobs Worth and Silviniaco Conti Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The mud-flecked Barry Geraghty on Bobs Worth in the middle of the race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The runners jump the final fence on the penultimate circuit. Bobs Worth is the horse in the centre jumping the fence Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The field charge up the hill towards the finishing post. Left to right are Bobs Worth (1st), Sir des Champs (2nd) and Long Run (3rd) Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Barry Geraghty raises his whip in triumph as Bobs Worth wins the race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

An exhausted Bobs Worth and Barry Geraghty just after victory Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Winner Bobs Worth pricks his ears as Barry Geraghty hardly has time to catch his breath before he's interviewed Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Horse and jockey seem to have got their breath back as they celebrate in the unsaddling enclosure Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The trainer Nicky Henderson looks proudly at his horse Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Barry Geraghty kisses the trophy Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian