So that's that, then ...
Having spent a few days terrified that he might have chosen to ride the wrong horse in the Gold Cup, Bryan Cooper was a mightily relieved man as he won the Gold Cup on Don Cossack, for Irish trainer Gordon Elliott. The feature race of the day was in danger of being overshadowed by its amateur couterpart, the Foxhunter Chase, where Olympic cyclist and novice jockey Victoria Pendleton finished a highly creditable fifth in a race won in fine style by the real queen of Cheltenham, Nina Carberry, on board the Enda Bolger-trained On The Fringe.
Earlier in the afternoon, Ivanovitch Gorbatov got Barry Geraghty off the mark in the Triumph Hurdle, running under the name of trainer Aidan O’Brien, but prepared for the race by his young son Joseph, who enjoyed a hugely successful career as a jockey on the Flat. We’ll be hearing plenty more about him in years to come.
There was another happy family affair in the County Hurdle, when Superb Story provided a happy ending for jockey Harry Skelton, who was riding for his trainer brother Dan. In the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, Uknowwhatimeanharry took the spoils At the close of a week which bookmakers described as the worst, from their point of view at least, in living memory, Jack Sherwood won the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle on Ibis Du Rheu, trained by Paul Nicholls, while Solar Impulse made it a double for the champion trainer in the Grand Annual Chase, with Sam Twiston-Davies booting the final winner of the week home.
So, that’s that, then. After 28 races, the final score in the Betbright Cup pitting Irish trainers against their English counterparts stands all square at 14-14. That’s all from us for this Festival. We hope you enjoyed our coverage and were among the many, many people who relieved weeping bookmakers of their money over the past four days. Thanks for your time and tune in again during Royal Ascot, when I will be once again shackled to the Guardian racing desk with only a bowl of water and a straw mattress for company.
Updated
Grand Annual Handicap Chase (5.30) result
1 Solar Impulse (Sam Twiston-Davies) 28-1
2 Dandridge (D N Russell) 8-1
3 Rock The World (R M Power) 9-2 Fav
4 Savello (Bridget Andrews) 25-1
24 ran
Updated
Grand Annual Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m
Solar Impulse jumps into the lead at the last, leading by two lengths. Solar Impulse takes the Grand Annual with a late run under Sam Twiston-Davies for Paul Nicholls. That makes it 14-all in the Betbright Trophy pitting Irish trainers against English trainers.
Grand Annual Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m
Velvet Maker leads from Next Sensation followed by Red Spinner. Velvet Maker from Next Sensation, followed by Red Spinner and Pearl’s Legend ...
Grand Annual Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m
They’re off and running in the Grand Annual and I’m sorry to report I missed the start as I was facing the wrong way. Velvet Maker leads from Next Sensation, who is followed by Red Spinner ...
Grand Annual Handicap Chase (5.30) betting
- Rock The World 5-1
- Next Sensation 15-2
- Dandridge 8-1
- Velvet Maker 8-1
- Lough Kent 12-1
- Eastlake 14-1
- The SaintJames 14-1
- Chris Pea Green 16-1
Preview: Grand Annual Handicap Chase (5.30)
The Getting-Out Stakes is a final tricky handicap, run at great speed, which often throws up a big-priced winner. Next Sensation is just 1lb higher than when winning it last year and it would be no great surprise to see him bounce back to form. Eastlake, last year’s second, is 2lb lower and may be given less to do this time, having finished strongly 12 months ago. His owner, JP McManus, also has The Saint James, who looks well treated if he can put a good round of jumping together. Raven’s Tower has been kept aside for this since scoring in November, though he has yet to prove his aptitude for Cheltenham.
Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (4.50) result
1 Ibis Du Rheu (Jack Sherwood) 14-1
2 Flying Angel (Ryan Hatch) 8-1
3 Sky Khan (D R Fox) 50-1
4 Tully East (S A Shortall) 50-1
24 ran
Also: 9-4 Fav Squouateur
Updated
Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (4.50) 2m 4f
Tully East takes up the running as they go up the hill, with Flying Angel and Ibis Du Rheu upsides him. Ibis Du Rheu wins the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle for jockey Jack Sherwood and trainer Paul Nicholls.
Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (4.50) 2m 4f
Work In Progress continues to make a blistering place, followed by the loose horse Laurium, who fell earlier. FLying Anfgel leads the chase behind the leader, with Labels Des Obeaux ...
Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (4.50) 2m 4f
They’re off and running in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, with Squouateur the 9-4 favourite and running along in the middle of the big field of competitors. Work In Progress is a work in progress out in front, leading by 10 or 12 lengths from Roadie Joe and Bivouac ...
Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (4.50) betting
- Squoateur 5-2
- Children’s List 10-1
- Qualando 8-1
- Flying Angel 9-1
- Jetstream Jack 10-1
- Westend Star 16-1
- Ibis Du Rheu 16-1
- Mr Mix 16-1
More on Pendleton ...
Pacha Du Polder’s owners expect to enter the horse in the equivalent race for amateurs at Aintree and say they hope Victoria Pendleton rides him there as well. It will, indeed, be interesting to see if she continues in the horse-racing business without the financial backing of Betfair. She certainly appears to have been bitten by the bug and looks like she could become a very accomplished rider if she keeps up the hard work.
Updated
Nina Carberry on Victoria Pendleton: "I'm delighted she got round, it's an UNBELIEVABLE achievement, may she go onwards from here."
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 18, 2016
Nina Carberry: "We missed the third last & lost two lengths but he kept going, he loves the spring ground." pic.twitter.com/pPvaiiLG0v
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 18, 2016
Preview: Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (4.50)
Squouateur represents the sharp, sharp team of Gordon Elliott and JP McManus and will be partnered by the teenage star Jack Kennedy. Despite a 13lb hike for his last win, the horse is surely still up to winning off this mark. Qualando won last year’s Fred Winter and is still fairly weighted on 8lb higher. Flying Angel has a 5lb penalty for Saturday’s Imperial Cup and should be involved if able to take another run quite so quickly. Lizzie Kelly has been given a ride on the Mullins-trained Buiseness Sivola, which is interesting, considering this talented rider struggles to get employment from most British trainers. Buiseness Sivola couldn’t get involved in the Fred Winter last year but may be better suited by the extra distance here.
Victoria Pendleton speaks ...
“I think it’s probably one of the greatest achievements of my life and I hope it’s not the last,” says Victoria Pendleton, as one nearby wag in Guardian Towers says she should done by the stewards under the non-triers rule for not giving her horse the best possible chance of winning. In otherwoman jockey news, Nina Carberry has landed another big gamble for punters on an Enda Bolger-trained horse in the colours of JP McManus. What a truly terrific rider she is - a professional in all but name, who’s more capable than many of her male counterparts.
Updated
Foxhunter Chase (4.10) result
1 On The Fringe (Ms N Carberry) 13-8 Fav
2 Marito (Mr N McParlan) 14-1
3 Paint The Clouds (Mr S Waley-Cohen) 9-2
24 ran
Also: 14-1 Current Event 4th
CSF: 24.73
Tricast: 99.74
Foxhunter Chase (4.10) 3m 2f
On The Fringe wins the Foxhunters from Marito and Paint The Clouds. Victoria Pendleton comes with a late surge to finish fifth - is it crazy to think she might have won with a better-timed run?
Foxhunter Chase (4.10) 3m 2f
Major Malarkey is chased by Current Event, while Pacha Du Polder starts to make his way through the field He’s eighth and improving! Up the hill they go and On The Fringe wins for Nina Carberry! And who’s that back in fifth place! It’s Pacha Du Polder and Victoria Pendleton! Well done to both ladies!
Foxhunter Chase (4.10) 3m 2f
Major Malarkey leads by three lengths from Alskamatic and Paint The Clouds. Pacha Du Polder is still going, third or fourth last, jumping well for Victoria P. Major Malarkey leads by 10 lengths as they approach four out. Current Exchange and Alskamatic are in hot pursuit ...
Foxhunter Chase (4.10) 3m 2f
Pacha Du Polder makes up ground to go fifth from last of the 24 runners, while Alskamatic leads from Major Mullarkey, Current Exchange and Paint The Clouds ...
Foxhunter Chase (4.10) 3m 2f
Cave Hunter leads the field, while Pacha Du Polder whips them in under Pendleton, who has successfully negotiated the first few fences. Impact Area, Richmond and Alskamatic are in the first three, while Pendleton and Pacha Du Polder are last ...
Foxhunter Chase (4.10) 3m 2f
Pendleton and Pacha Du Polder take up a position on the inside at the very back of the field as the runners and riders are sent on it’s way ...
Foxhunter Chase (4.10) 3m 2f
The runners and riders make their way down the all weather chute and out on to the course, with Ms VL Pendleton looking very relaxed as she makes her way out on to the course and gives Pacha Du Polder a look over the practice fence. On Channel 4, AP McCoy reveals that he’s told her to keep an eye out for top amateurs Jamie Codd on board on Aupcharlie and just follow him.
Foxhunter Chase (4.10) 3m 2f
The bookies are already reporting this to be their worst Cheltenham in living memory and it’ll get a whole lot worse if a certain woman wins this race. Nina Carberry - for it is she - is the undisputed queen of Cheltenham and rides the favourite, On The Fringe here. Should she win, it’ll be catastrophic for the oddsmakers.
Foxhunter Chase (4.10) betting
- On The Fringe 7-4
- Paint The CLouds 5-1
- It Came To Pass 10-1
- Aupcharlie 10-1
- Mendip Express 12-1
- Marito 14-1
- Current Event 14-1
- Mr Mercurial 25-1
- Dark Lover 25-1
- Twirling Magnet 33-1
- Chapoturgeon 33-1
- Pacha Du Polder 33-1
The jockeys have been summoned ...
The 24 amateur riders - yes, there are 23 others although you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise from reading this blog - in the Foxhunter Chase are summoned to the parade ring, to get their final instructions and the leg-up on to their mounts.
Updated
Over to you now, Victoria ...
Footage from the weigh room show that Victoria Pendleton is suited, booted and ready to go in the Foxhunter Chase. She’s had a preliminary hop on the scales just to make sure that everything is as it should be and looks very calm and relaxed ahead of her biggest challenge since her time in the velodrome at London 2012. Good luck to her and all the other runners and riders in the Foxhunter Chase.
Preview: Foxhunter Chase (4.10)
Thrills and spills are odds-on in this contest, which will attract rather more attention this year than heretofore. Good luck to Victoria Pendleton but, even if nothing goes wrong for her, Pacha Du Polder does not look the strongest stayer in this field. On The Fringe is the right favourite after landing this last year before following up at Aintree and Punchestown and his warm-up race last time was fine. Paint The Clouds, third last year, should go well again. Mendip Express looks vulnerable to jumping errors. Dark Lover appears to have unexplored potential, if one can say that of an 11-year-old. He’s a big price, anyway.
Your winner.
Updated
Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) result
1 Don Cossack (B J Cooper) 9-4 Fav
2 Djakadam (R Walsh) 9-2
3 Don Poli (D N Russell) 9-2
9 ran
Also: 25-1 Carlingford Lough 4th
Non Runner: 9
CSF: 12.68
Tricast: 41.17
Updated
Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) 3m 2f
I’m happy to report that Cue Card and Paddy Brenna are both OK after their fall at the third last. Brennan will be devastated, as Cue Card was coming with a great run as he hit the fence and came a cropper. A very tearful Bryan Cooper thanks his trainer Gordon Elliott, his former mentor along with the late Dessie Hughes ion his post-race interview.
Don Cossack wins the Gold Cup!!!!
He led Djakadam over the last two fences and the result never looked in doubt from two out after Cue Card fell at the third last. Don Cossack leads up the hill to win under a mightily relieved Bryan Cooper!
Updated
Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) 3m 2f
Djakadam leads them over the third from home, where Cue Card falls. Djakadam and Don Cossack are neck and neck as they head for the second last ...
Updated
Cheltenham Gold Cup (3,30) 3m 2f
Smed Place and O’Faolain’s Boy are still in front, with the leader jumping well after his early blunder. Don Cossack, Cue Card and Djakadam are all nicely placed behind them, cueing up to make their moves. This is going to be some finish - they’ve five to jump ...
Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) 3m 2f
They’re strung out with 14 fences to jump. Smad Place and O’Faolain’s Boy continue in front, with Don Cossack three or four lengths back in fourth alongside Djakadam. Cue Card is behind them ...
Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) 3m 2f
They’re away in the Gold Cup, with Don Cossack the 9-4 favourite. The frontrunning grey, Smed Place, takes an early lead but blunders at the first. Smed Place gets back to the front, alongside O’Faolain’s Boy, from On His Own, Don Coassack, Djakadam and Cue Card. Irish Cavalier is off the pace, while On His Own is being rousted along already ...
Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) 3m 2f
The horses are paraded past the grandstand before being released to canter down to the start. All 10 looked nice and relaxed. They’ll be off and running very shortly ...
Jockeys Under Pressure Dept
No1: Bryan Cooper rides the favourite Don Cossack, having been forced to choose between him and Don Poli, which is now being ridden by Davy Russell. Don Poli is a two-time winner at Cheltenham, while Don Cossack has fallen twice in three spins around the course. If Don Poli wins, Cooper will be absolutely gutted.
No2: Paddy Brennan rides Cue Card, who is up for a £1m bonus if he wins this race, having already won the Betfair Chase and the King George. Brennan would trouser 10% of that £1m, as well as his 10% of the £327,462 first prize for winning the race. £132,746 (plus his fee of £120 or so for riding in the race) wouldn’t be a bad return for five minutes’ work.
Updated
Unowhatimeanharry boxes clever in Albert Bartlett
Unowhatimeanharry justified Harry Fry’s decision to go for Grade One glory when landing a hard-fought victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. The eight-year-old was originally set to take his chance in the Pertemps Hurdle but four successive wins saw him rise so much in the handicap that Fry opted to go for this race. It proved a wise decision as Unowhatimeanharry (11-1) scythed his way through the field under Noel Fehily to collar long-time leader Barters Hill after jumping the last.
Fagan came with a late rattle to claim second spot from Champers On Ice by a length and a quarter. Barters Hill had to settle for fourth place after a game front-running effort over the three miles. Long Dog broke down on the run to the fifth flight, unseating Ruby Walsh. The meeting’s top jockey appeared none the worse for his second successive fall.
Updated
Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) betting
- Don Cossack 2-1
- Cue Card 7-2
- Don Poli 4-1
- Djakadam 9-2
- Smad Place 11-1
- Carlingford Lough 20-1
- OFaolains Boy 40-1
- On His Own 40-1
- Irish Cavalier 66-1
Preview: Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30)
Another strong renewal of this most prestigious of jumps races revolves around Don Cossack. It looks as though he has the best engine of any of these runners but the chassis has let him down two or three times when it really mattered and the question is whether it will hold up better this time in the white heat of top-class competition. He just didn’t travel well enough in the King George for me to go with him here.
Cue Card undoubtedly belongs here, now that his wind issues have been sorted. In previous years, one would have doubted his stamina and it may yet let him down but his last two wins at three miles strongly suggest he should be able to run his race. He has never run a bad race in four Festival starts over the past six years. Don Poli is the kind of grinder who does well in this race and we don’t yet know how good he can be. Davy Russell rides him for the first time since he was a maiden hurdler. Djakadam is the other really big name but there can’t be many Gold Cup winners who had previously been 0/3 over the Cheltenham fences. That being said, he was a fine second in last year’s race as a tender six-year-old.
Albert Bartlett Novice's Hurdle (2.50)
Uknowwhatimeanharry wins the Albert Bartlett, ridden by Noel Fehily and trained by Harry Fry . On a rather more sombre note, I fear the worst for Long Dog, who looked to have done himself a serious injury when stumbling and parting company with Ruby Walsh, who subsequently waited by the hurdle to wave the field wide of (but not around) it, presumably on the grounds that the stricken horse was lying somewhere in the vicinity. More on that as I hear it.
Albert Bartlett Novice's Hurdle (2.50) result
1 Unowhatimeanharry (N D Fehily) 11-1
2 Fagan (D N Russell) 33-1
3 Champers On Ice (T Scudamore) 20-1
19 ran
Also: 7-2 Fav Shantou Village, 4-1 Barters Hill 4th
Non Runner: 17
Updated
Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle (2.50) 3m
Barters Hill leads from Champers On Ice, followed by Allysson Monterg and Gangster, Uknowwhatimeanharry. Champers On Ice leads to the last from Barters Hill, with Uknowwhatimeanharry and Faganmaking ground. Uknowwhatimeanharry drfits all over the run-in but has a length in hand at the line. . Uknowwhatimeanharry wins under Noel Fehily.
Updated
Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle (2.50) 3m
Long Dog unseats Ruby Walsh between hurdles after a bad stumble - that doesn’t look at all good for the horse, but Ruby is back on his feet and Ok. With six hurdles to jump, Barters Hill leads narrowly from Atlantic Gold, followed by Allysson Monterg, while Balko Des FLos makes ground. Bleu Et Rouge falls, unshipping Barry Geraghty. They’ve three to jump ...
Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle (2.50) 3m
Racing is under way in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle, with Shantou Village the 7-2 favourite under Richard Johnson, who has yet to ride a winner this week. ||Barters Hill and Up For Review make the early running as the field go over the first flight. All negotiate it safely as Barters Hill and Up For Review continue in front. Bachasson pecked on landing at the second, but remains on his feet. Barters Hill and Up For Review lead, followed by Atlantic Gold and Allysson Montag ...
Jockey updates ...
No1: Wayne Hutchinson has been passed fit to ride Smad Place in the Gold Cup.
No2: Harry Skelton has got a two-day ban for excessive use of the whip on Superb Story.
Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle (2.50) betting
- Shantou Village 7-2
- Barters Hill 9-2
- Long Dog 11-2
- Gangster 15-2
- Bleu Et Rouge 11-1
- Uknowwhatimeanharry 12-1
- Up For Review 16-1
Awwwwwww ... so sad from AP McCoy
Channel 4 just broadcast a nice little piece in which AP McCoy went to County Meath, to ride Gold Cup runner Don Cossack around the gallops at trainer Gordon Elliott’s yard. A lovely video concluded with AP mcCoy patting the horse and saying: “What do you think little horse? Do you want me to come back and ride you in the Gold Cup?” And then, with a haunted look of regret, a slightly lost looking, wistful sounding knight of the realm shook his head and answered his own question with a barely audible “I wish”.
Superb Story provides happy ending for Skelton brothers
Superb Story gave brothers Dan and Harry Skelton their taste of first Festival success when winning a dramatic race for the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Superb Story led after jumping what should have been the second-last but the final flight was omitted while Wayne Hutchinson received treatment for a fall from Montbazon on the first circuit. Thankfully, Hutchinson eventually got up and walked away.
In a fast and furious encounter, the well-backed Great Field pulled his way to the front after taking the first. Though he finally did settle in front, his exertions must have taken their toll. Harry Skelton brought Superb Story with a well-judged challenge and the 8-1 shot galloped on resolutely to score by two and a half lengths from 33-1 chance Fethard Player.
The always-prominent Sternrubin was two and a half lengths away third with Wait For Me (7-1 joint-favourite) fourth. “Magic,” said Harry Skelton. “I’ve been saying for the last two weeks I couldn’t see him getting beat, which sounds a silly thing to say before a County. I’ve never fancied one as much as this. It’s great for all the staff because they work so hard, I’m the lucky one who gets to ride them. We’ve hit every bit of woodwork this week, I was speaking to Ted Walsh and he just said to slot him in and let it happen and we’ve hit the goal.”
Updated
Wayne Hutchinson update
Footage from the weighing room shows him looking a bit sorry for himself after that fall from Montbazon, as he made his way to see the doctor and pass inspection for his ride on Smad Place in the Gold Cup. He didn’t look too bad from where I’m sitting, so hopefully he’ll be OK to take his chance in the big one. If nothing else, he has 45 minutes or so to catch his breath before his next job of work.
Preview: Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle (2.50)
A three-mile event for the slower novices in which Willie Mullins has a surprisingly moderate record, having fielded three losing favourites in the past four years. Perhaps his squad of entries have a better chance now that someone else has the market-leader. His Gangster certainly appeals, having hacked up in a Fairyhouse Grade Three at Christmas when last seen. Barters Hill, the long-time favourite, was the subject of a scare when he was stiff one morning this week, but is now said to be “sound as a pound”. You could worry about the fact that his jumping deteriorated last time when he was put under pressure. Shantou Village has been beaten only by the classy Yanworth so far and has become favourite this morning. Unowhatimeanharry has graduated from handicaps and it’s hard to see an end to his improvement at the moment.
County Hurdle (2.10) result
1 Superb Story (Harry Skelton) 8-1
2 Fethard Player (D J Mullins) 33-1
3 Sternrubin (T J O’Brien) 33-1
4 Wait For Me (R Johnson) 7-1 Jt Fav
26 ran
Also: 7-1 Jt Fav Great Field
CSF: 260.20
Tricast: 8137.14
Updated
County Hurdle (2.10) 2m 1f
Great news - Wayne Hutchison is up on his feet and limping back to the weigh room after what looked a nasty fall at the second. Superb Story wins under a fine ride from Harry Skelton, on board for his trainer brother Dan.
County Hurdle (2.10) 2m 1f
Great Field and Sternrubin continue in the lead with Fethard Player in third. Zamdyman is next. Sternrubin is passed by Superb Story as they bypass the final hurdle. Superb Story wins by three lengths from Fethard Player and close for third. I think Sternrubin got up but will confirm. Superb Story wins the County Hurdle.
County Hurdle (2.10) 2m 1f
Monbazon falls at the second hurdle and his jockey Wayne Huttchison remains prone on the ground. Great Field, Sternrubin continue to make the running, while the screens go up around Wayne Hutchison. Here’s hoping he’s OK ...
County Hurdle (2.10) 2m 1f
They’re away and running in the County Hurdle, arguably the most competitive race of the week - so if you manage to back the winner, good on ya! Zandy Man and Sternrubin making the early running. Great Field is taking a very strong pull, which isn’t a great sign ...
County Hurdle (2.10) 2m 1f
The runners are making their way down to the start, with Great Field the current 13-2 favourite. Like Ivanovich Gorbatov, he’s owned by JP McManus and ridden by Barry Geraghty, but trained by some no-mark named Willie Mullins, who could only manage to saddle the second, third and fourth horses home in the opener. A win for Great Field would give Mullins a record-equalling eighth Festival winner for the second year in a row. They’ll be off very shortly!
County Hurdle (2.10) betting
- Great Field 6-1
- Superb Story 8-1
- Wait For Me 10-1
- Starchitect 10-1
- Blue Hell 10-1
- John Constable 12-1
- Modus 14-1
- Dicosimo 16-1
- All Yours 16-1
- Some Plan 16-1
- Henry Higgins 20-1
- Cardinal Walter 20-1
Ivanovich lands the spoils in the Triumph Hurdle
Ivanovich Gorbatov gave Joseph O’Brien, 22, his first Festival winner as a trainer since he retired from riding after a constant battle against the scales. Although the horse ran in the name of O’Brien’s father Aidan, the young hurdler was prepared by Joseph ahead of getting his full training licence in May.
Ivanovich Gorbatov, owned by JP McManus, delivered in style to give jockey Barry Geraghty his first success of the week. Relishing the better ground, Ivanovich Gorbatov made up for his defeat at Leopardstown to defeat two horses from the all-conquering Willie Mullins’ stable with Apple’s Jade beaten a length and a quarter in second and Footpad six lengths away in third. [PA Sport]
Preview: County Hurdle (2.10)
Another of them tough handicaps, in which the last nine winners have been returned at double-figure odds ... which is perhaps unsurprising, given that none of today’s runners are shorter than 8-1. This is also one of the fastest and most furiously contested. You will be stunned to learn that Willie Mullins has a fine record, with three winners in the last six years. He fields the likely favourite, Great Field, who is completely unexposed after a single success in a non-handicap since leaving France. Superb Story has crept in at the bottom of the weights, having apparently been saved since a good run here in November. Blue Hell beat Diamond King last time, which looks pretty useful in light of that one having hosed up here on Wednesday. Starchitect ran second in the hot, hot Betfair Hurdle last month and may even be fitter for that run. Modus flopped that day but may be capable of better on this sounder surface.
IVANOVICH GORBATOV ridden by Barry Geraghty wins the JCB Triumph Hurdle. #CheltenhamFestival https://t.co/FvHZoxLx0W
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) March 18, 2016
Triumph Hurdle (1.30) result
1 Ivanovich Gorbatov (B J Geraghty) 9-2 Fav
2 Apple’s Jade (B J Cooper) 12-1
3 Footpad (R Walsh) 5-1
15 ran
Also: 11-1 Let’s Dance 4th
CSF: 55.50
Tricast: 287.46
Updated
Triumph Hurdle (1.30) 2m 1f)
Ivanovich Gorbatov wins for fledgling trainer Joseph O’Brien (his father’s name is on the licence, but he did all the prep), under a good ride from Barry Geraghty. He was, apparently, the subject of a hefty wager by his owner JP McManus. Apples Jade was second and Footpad was third.
Triumph Hurdle (1.30) 2m 1f
Apples Jade takes over in the lead, with Big McIntosh on the rail. Gibralfaro is also prominent. Aplles Jade from Let’s Dane and Ivanovitch Gorbatov. It’s Apples Jade first over the last as Ivanovitch Gorbatov moves up her outside. Ivanovich Gorbatov wins the Triumph Hurdle.
Updated
Triumph Hurdle (1.30) 2m 1f
Big McIntosh takes up the running under Mattie Batchelor, opening a lead of six or seven lengths as they approach the second flight of hurdles. Big McIntosh, from Let’s Dance, Clan Des Obeaux, WHo Dares Wins, Apple’s Jade and Frodon. They’ve three flights of hurdles to jump ...
Updated
Triumph Hurdle (1.30)
Welcome one and all, to the final day of this year’s Cheltenham Festival. Here’s hoping your every bet is a winning one as the runners and riders are sent on their way in the Triumph Hurdle, with Ivanovich Gorbatov sent off the 9-2 favourite in the JP McManus colours. “It looks like today’s the day,” says Channel 4 analyst AP McCoy ...
A belting story from Ted Walsh
The Channel 4 pundit, former amateur jockey and dad of Ruby was asked for his thoughts on Victoria Pendleton’s crack at the Foxhunters today and said he thinks she’ll have a very enjoyable spin “as long as the aul horse doesn’t do anything stupid”.
He added that he’s seen “a lot less competent riders than Victoria Pendleton” racing around Cheltenham and recalled the day he rode against Prince Charles, “the future King Of England”, in the Kim Muir many years ago. They both came down at the same fence, got back on their feet and headed to the ambulance for a lift.
Prince Charles was first on board through the back doors and Ted went to follow him, only for one of His Majesty’s security detail to block his entrance and say: “Sorry, there’s another one behind for you”.
Triumph Hurdle (1.30) betting
- Zubayr 9-2
- Ivanovich Gorbatov 9-2
- Footpad 6-1
- Sceau Royal 8-1
- Who Dares Wins 11-1
- Lets Dance 12-1
- Apples Jade 14-1
- Connectable 14-1
- Clan Des Obeaux 16-1
Preview: Triumph Hurdle (1.30)
This could mark a return to the Festival winner’s enclosure for Aidan O’Brien, who used to be a big part of the week in the days when Istabraq won here four years in a row but has since left jumps racing behind to focus on the Flat. It might be said that his name on the racecard is a kind of fiction, since we all believe that his son, Joseph, is really training Ivanovich Gorbatov and a handful of other jumpers as he sets out on a new career.
This horse seems short enough in the betting, given his last-time flop, but there’s no question that he has a big home reputation. Paul Nicholls is forging a new reputation as a fine trainer of four-year-olds, so his five runners here demand respect. Zubayr could be the pick of them, having impressed in an influential race at Kempton last time and he seems on a strong upward curve. Some folk with insight into the Somerset stable also seem excited by Tommy Silver. Sceau Royal is a classy beast from the Alan King yard that had a Wednesday disappointment with Yanworth.
.@AP_McCoy's advice for @v_pendleton: "Some jockeys in the race are professionals in all but name - follow them." pic.twitter.com/nUs8OaIoiX
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) March 18, 2016
Davy Russell has a few pointers ...
Along with Swansea City footballer Gylfi Sigurdsson and acting’s Ben Affleck, I make no apologies for the fact that I have a man-crush on Irish jockey Davy Russell. The good people at Betway Insider have been in touch to steer me towards his blog, in which he provides a few tips for this afternoon, one of which - Blue Hell in the County Hurdle (2.10) - I’ve had a few bob on at a decent price.
Of Don Poli, his mount in the Gold Cup (3.30), Davy has this to say: “If I have a niggling worry, it’s just that he may get run off his feet early on. I’ll just try and grab onto their coat tails and stay with them. Don’t make any judgement on him though until they are heading to the second last as he loves that hill.”
Russell also tips Marito in the Foxhunter (4.10) and Squouateur and Childrens List in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (4.50).
Having been curious to know what the other jockeys make of Victoria Pendleton hogging their limelight by making a foray into the world of racing, I was pleased to read Russell’s comments on the subject: “All eyes on Victoria Pendleton and it’s brilliant for the sport,” he says. “I’m hoping she enjoys the day and comes back safe with a little taste of what we go through.” Hear! Hear!
Grand Annual Handicap Chase (5.30)
The Getting-Out Stakes is a final tricky handicap, run at great speed, which often throws up a big-priced winner. Next Sensation is just 1lb higher than when winning it last year and it would be no great surprise to see him bounce back to form. Eastlake, last year’s second, is 2lb lower and may be given less to do this time, having finished strongly 12 months ago. His owner, JP McManus, also has The Saint James, who looks well treated if he can put a good round of jumping together. Raven’s Tower has been kept aside for this since scoring in November, though he has yet to prove his aptitude for Cheltenham.
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Preview: Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (4.50)
Squouateur represents the sharp, sharp team of Gordon Elliott and JP McManus and will be partnered by the teenage star Jack Kennedy. Despite a 13lb hike for his last win, the horse is surely still up to winning off this mark. Qualando won last year’s Fred Winter and is still fairly weighted on 8lb higher. Flying Angel has a 5lb penalty for Saturday’s Imperial Cup and should be involved if able to take another run quite so quickly. Lizzie Kelly has been given a ride on the Mullins-trained Buiseness Sivola, which is interesting, considering this talented rider struggles to get employment from most British trainers. Buiseness Sivola couldn’t get involved in the Fred Winter last year but may be better suited by the extra distance here.
Foxhunter Chase (4.10)
Thrills and spills are odds-on in this contest, which will attract rather more attention this year than heretofore. Good luck to Victoria Pendleton but, even if nothing goes wrong for her, Pacha Du Polder does not look the strongest stayer in this field. On The Fringe is the right favourite after landing this last year before following up at Aintree and Punchestown and his warm-up race last time was fine. Paint The Clouds, third last year, should go well again. Mendip Express looks vulnerable to jumping errors. Dark Lover appears to have unexplored potential, if one can say that of an 11-year-old. He’s a big price, anyway.
Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30)
Another strong renewal of this most prestigious of jumps races revolves around Don Cossack. It looks as though he has the best engine of any of these runners but the chassis has let him down two or three times when it really mattered and the question is whether it will hold up better this time in the white heat of top-class competition. He just didn’t travel well enough in the King George for me to go with him here.
Cue Card undoubtedly belongs here, now that his wind issues have been sorted. In previous years, one would have doubted his stamina and it may yet let him down but his last two wins at three miles strongly suggest he should be able to run his race. He has never run a bad race in four Festival starts over the past six years. Don Poli is the kind of grinder who does well in this race and we don’t yet know how good he can be. Davy Russell rides him for the first time since he was a maiden hurdler.
Djakadam is the other really big name but there can’t be many Gold Cup winners who had previously been 0-3 over the Cheltenham fences. That being said, he was a fine second in last year’s race as a tender six-year-old.
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Preview: Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle
A three-mile event for the slower novices in which Willie Mullins has a surprisingly moderate record, having fielded three losing favourites in the past four years. Perhaps his squad of entries have a better chance now that someone else has the market-leader. His Gangster certainly appeals, having hacked up in a Fairyhouse Grade Three at Christmas when last seen. Barters Hill, the long-time favourite, was the subject of a scare when he was stiff one morning this week, but is now said to be “sound as a pound”. You could worry about the fact that his jumping deteriorated last time when he was put under pressure. Shantou Village has been beaten only by the classy Yanworth so far and has become favourite this morning. Unowhatimeanharry has graduated from handicaps and it’s hard to see an end to his improvement at the moment.
Preview: County Hurdle (2.10)
Another of them tough handicaps, in which the last nine winners have been returned at double-figure odds ... which is perhaps unsurprising, given that none of today’s runners are shorter than 8-1. This is also one of the fastest and most furiously contested. You will be stunned to learn that Willie Mullins has a fine record, with three winners in the last six years. He fields the likely favourite, Great Field, who is completely unexposed after a single success in a non-handicap since leaving France. Superb Story has crept in at the bottom of the weights, having apparently been saved since a good run here in November. Blue Hell beat Diamond King last time, which looks pretty useful in light of that one having hosed up here on Wednesday. Starchitect ran second in the hot, hot Betfair Hurdle last month and may even be fitter for that run. Modus flopped that day but may be capable of better on this sounder surface.
Preview: Triumph Hurdle (1.30)
This could mark a return to the Festival winner’s enclosure for Aidan O’Brien, who used to be a big part of the week in the days when Istabraq won here four years in a row but has since left jumps racing behind to focus on the Flat. It might be said that his name on the racecard is a kind of fiction, since we all believe that his son, Joseph, is really training Ivanovich Gorbatov and a handful of other jumpers as he sets out on a new career.
This horse seems short enough in the betting, given his last-time flop, but there’s no question that he has a big home reputation. Paul Nicholls is forging a new reputation as a fine trainer of four-year-olds, so his five runners here demand respect. Zubayr could be the pick of them, having impressed in an influential race at Kempton last time and he seems on a strong upward curve. Some folk with insight into the Somerset stable also seem excited by Tommy Silver. Sceau Royal is a classy beast from the Alan King yard that had a Wednesday disappointment with Yanworth.
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Switching saddles: Pendleton watch ...
Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton deserves every credit for going from complete novice to possessing enough proficiency in the saddle to get the leg up in this afternoon Foxhunter Chase and will no doubt attract plenty of support - moral and financial - from sentimental armchair punters happy to risk a few quid in the hope she can complete her fairytale by actually winning the race.
While anything is possible in racing, Pendleton’s chances of winning on board the Paul Nicholls-trained Pacha Du Polder are extremely slim; she’s taking on an incredibly difficult challenge on a horse that’s never won over anything approaching this distance and will be up against horses better suited to three-and-a-half miles, ridden by far more experienced and talented jockeys.
We’d never dream of putting anyone off having any kind of bet on whatever they please, but anyone fancying a flutter on Pendleton might be interested to know that there are all sorts of offers available if you shop around. Here’s hoping that, along with every other horse and jockey competing today, Victoria and her mount return safe and sound to the unsaddling enclosure, whatever the outcome of the race.
Prices on Pendleton
- To win: 20-1
- Any other result than a top 10 finish: 4-7
- Not to complete The Foxhunters Chase: 8-11
- To Complete the course: evens
- To finish fifth to last inclusive: 7-4
- To finish 5th to 10th inclusive: 9-4
- To place in the Foxhunters: 5-1
- To finish second: 16-1
- To finish third: 16-1
- To finish fourth: 16-1
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Click here to see where you can avail of these offers
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Fancy DJAKADAM for the Gold Cup? Ruby Walsh updates you live from the gallops... https://t.co/Ab64e4LaCi
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) March 18, 2016
Chris Cook is having a shocker ...
The toll of drinking his way from one corporate box to another, pausing only to nip down to the giant bookie office-cum-bar that is the Centaur Bar, over the past three afternoons appears to have finally caught up with Chris Cook, who has thus far failed to submit his race-by-race previews. I am assured they are on their way and will post them here for your reading pleasure as soon as they arrive.
Quite how noted party-animal Chris has managed to fit his daily and nocturnal carousing with the good and the great of the National Hunt scene around his more mundane duties of writing his race previews and race reports and tipping column, not to mention sifting through the wreckage of the daily tipping competitions he administrates over for readers and Guardian staff is beyond me. A massive tip of the hat and tug of the forelock to him, his fellow racing corr Greg Wood and photographer Tom Jenkins, who have been working so hard over the past week to enhance the Cheltenham Festival experience for Guardian readers.
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Top jockeys after Day Three
- Ruby Walsh 7
- Nico De Boinville 2
- Sam Twiston-Davies 2
- Tom Scudamore 2
- Davy Russell 2
- Aidan Coleman 1
- Ryan Hatch 1
- Brian Hughes 1
- Mr Derek O’Connor 1
- Bryan Cooper 1
- Mr Jamie Codd 1
And still the long week continues for Barry Geraghty and Richard Johnson, who have two seconds and four thirds between them. As on Wednesday, Geraghty starts with two fancied mounts in Ivanovich Gorbatov and Great Field. Johnson’s big chance comes on Shantou Village in the third.
Top trainers after Day Three
- Willie Mullins 7 wins
- Nicky Henderson 2
- Nigel Twiston-Davies 2
- Gordon Elliott 2
- Jonjo O’Neill 1
- David Pipe 1
- Ian Williams 1
- Paul Nicholls 1
- Martin Keighley 1
- Colin Tizzard 1
- Pat Kelly 1
- Colm Murphy 1
Mullins has already reached a tally that has only been achieved, for the whole week, twice before, one of those times by him when he set the current record of eight last year. Philip Hobbs, who has had such an excellent season to this point, has not got on the scoresheet, his Thursday having been rather luckless.
Today’s races and our tips
1.30 Triumph Hurdle Zubayr 9-2
2.10 County Hurdle Starchitect 14-1
2.50 Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle Shantou Village 4-1
3.30 Cheltenham Gold Cup Cue Card 4-1
4.10 Foxhunter Chase Dark Lover 33-1
4.50 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle Flying Angel 14-1
5.30 Grand Annual Handicap Chase The Saint James 18-1
Hmm, no Willie Mullins in there, or Ruby Walsh. Clearly there must be a mistake ... although Friday has generally been a tough day for Mullins, to the extent that he has talked about bringing his Friday runners over later in the week, to avoid them hanging around the racecourse stables all week. Anyway, this little lot would represent continued success for some of Britain’s bigger yards, notably the Tizzards in the Gold Cup, who have already won one Grade One this week. I’ve got Paul Nicholls down for the Triumph, since four-year-olds seem to be his forte these days, while the handicaps are divided among those noted shrewdies Pipe, Twiston-Davies and O’Neill.
The BetVictor Cheltenham Festival tipping competition
Congratulations to keepitdusty, who won Thursday’s competition on a final score of +15. On a low-scoring day (because of all the winning favs), he found Empire Of Dirt (16-1) and Black Hercules (4-1). Second spot was shared by lcprestes and PHILYERBOOTS on +12, they being the only others to get Empire Of Dirt, while no one had Mall Dini (14-1).
You could win a £50 bet from BetVictor by proving your tipping prowess on today’s races. All you have to do is give us your selections for all of today’s races at Cheltenham. As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional stakes of £1 at starting price on each tip. Non-runners count as losers.
Please post all your tips in a single posting, using the comment facility below, before the first race at 1.30pm.
There are seven races at Cheltenham today and you must post a single selection for each race. Our usual terms and conditions will apply, except that this will be a strictly one-day thing. If we get a tie after all the races have been run, the winner will be the one who posted their tips earliest out of those with the highest score. If an entrant has to repost their selections because of a non-runner, we will use the time of their later posting for tiebreak purposes.
Finally, if you don’t win today ... despair! This is your last chance until Royal Ascot to win a £50 bet through us. Good luck!!!
Gold Cup day scene-setter
The temperature dropped to minus 4 overnight at Cheltenham and it has been a somewhat murky start to the morning, but the day, and the Festival, will come to the boil this afternoon during what one bookmakers’ PR predicted yesterday will be “a record-breaking hour of betting” on the Gold Cup and the Foxhunter Chase.
It was, perhaps, a little optimistic, but the Gold Cup will, as ever, be the biggest betting race of the week, and the Foxhunter, oddly enough, is generally a good race for turnover too, because so many punters stay behind in betting shops to play up their winnings, or chase their losses, from the Gold Cup.
Victoria Pendleton’s presence in the field will certainly attract some extra betting interest too, though whether, as the same PR man suggested, the thought of her winning is “terrifying our accountants” is arguable. A price of around 16-1 is unlikely to tempt many serious punters, who are well aware of the scale of the task that faces her.
This is not a natural step up from the races that Pendleton has been contesting so far. It is more like taking an entire flight of stairs in one go, against amateur jockeys like Jamie Codd, who took the closing race here on Thursday on Cause Of Causes with a ride that would make any professional proud. All that can be hoped for realistically is that all involved in the race, and every race on the card, come home safely, and that Pendleton’s involvement remains a fine advertisement for racing.
As for the Gold Cup, it is difficult at this stage even to be sure which horse will start favourite, although Ruby Walsh’s outstanding week, with seven winners already, may draw punters towards Djakadam. Don Cossack has been the horse for money this morning, however, and he currently heads the market on 11-4, with Djakadam at 7-2 and Cue Card close behind on 4-1. Don Poli, a very credible second string to Djakadam as Willie Mullins chases his first Gold Cup, is a 5-1 chance and it is 10-1 bar the four.
The going here remains good after a dry night. “I was surprised that the temperature dropped to nearly minus 4 overnight, but none of the frost got into the ground,” Simon Claisse, the clerk of the course, said this morning.
“We didn’t water overnight other than about a furlong at the bottom of the hill. Conditions should be similar to yesterday and it’s really nice, good ground.
“It could stay quite murky until the start of racing but then there is the chance of some bright sunshine. Apparently not that far west of here, it is glorious sunshine at the moment, so let’s hope that the cloud budges a bit and we see some of that.”
