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Gold Cup report
That’s it for this year’s Festival. I’ll leave you with Greg Wood’s Gold Cup report:
Willie Mullins ends the week as champion trainer with four wins, pipping Nicky Henderson on second-placed finishes.
We end the week with success for the next generation – Jonjo O’Neill Jr gets his first Cheltenham win, trained by Aidan O’Brien’s son Joseph.
Updated
Martin Pipe Hurdle (5.30) result
1 Early Doors (Jonjo O’Neill Jr.) 5-1
2 Dallas Des Pictons (D Meyler) 7-2 Fav
3 Defi Bleu (C Brassil) 14-1
4 Champagne Court (Rex Dingle) 14-1
24 ran
Here’s Joseph O’Brien: “We’re devastated about Sir Erec. Mark just said he jumped awkwardly, landed extremely awkwardly and got injured. When you see what’s happened in New Zealand, though, it puts it all into perspective.
“Jonjo gave Early Doors a great ride. We heard we could get him for this race, rather than race in the Coral Cup, so we went for it. He didn’t get the break we were looking for, but he went to Plan B.”
Updated
That win is something of a ray of light for trainer Joseph O’Brien, whose Sir Erec was euthanised after the day’s opening race. Dallas Des Pictons was second, Defi Bleu third and Champagne Court fourth.
Early Doors wins the Martin Pipe Hurdle
Jonjo O’Neill Jr wins it with the 5-1 shot, Early Doors!
Updated
Martin Pipe Hurdle (5.30): It’ll be between Early Doors and Dallas Des Pictons as they head over the final fence...
Martin Pipe Hurdle (5.30): The field fans out as they approach the penultimate fence, with Defi Bleu and Cartwright moving up as Dallas Dec Pictons takes the lead...
Martin Pipe Hurdle (5.30): Kapgarry up to third, Dallas Des Pictons still tucked in behind the leading pair, and Early Doors moving through the field...
Martin Pipe Hurdle (5.30): Acapella Bourgeois leads Getareason with a circuit to go, with Dallas Des Pictons well placed...
Martin Pipe Hurdle (5.30): They’re finally off! Mount Mews turned a couple of times and doesn’t fancy it when the tape goes down. Acapella Bourgeois, a tough name to type at speed, leads them over the early hurdles...
Updated
Martin Pipe Hurdle (5.30)
Here we go, then. The last race! Although it’ll be a standing start with a few horses not settling...
A few words from Nico de Boinville: “I’ve had good rides here this week, but you’ve got to get the job done. I’m riding for a genius of a trainer. We haven’t had an easy build-up, with the snow and the flu jabs. But it’s been a great week.”
Here are the latest odds for the Martin Pipe Hurdle:
Dallas Des Pictons 7-2, Early Doors 5-1, Getareason 9-1, Cartwright 11-1, Pym 12-1, Defi Bleu 14-1, Champagne Court 14-1, Daybreak Boy 16-1, 20-1 bar.
Nico de Boinville is the Festival’s top jockey! He’s delivered three wins for Nicky Henderson this week on William Henry, Pentland Hills and of course Altior.
Henderson and Willie Mullins are still battling for the top trainer prize – both have four wins. Mullins leads on second place finishes, so Henderson needs a win here. Acapella Bourgeois and Getareason go for Mullins; Style De Garde and Pym for Henderson.
Last year’s champion trainer, Gordon Elliott, can catch Mullins and Henderson on four wins, but can’t win the title. He has three horses in this race: Defi Bleu, Cartwright and Dallas Des Pictons.
Updated
Martin Pipe Hurdle (5.30) preview
The last race of the Cheltenham Festival is a handicap hurdle for conditional (inexperienced) jockeys. It has been won for the past two years by Gordon Elliott, who worked for Pipe and has said he makes a target of the race. His Dallas Des Pictons, a winner at the Dublin Racing Festival, looks the right favourite, though he has gone up 10lb. Third in this last year, Early Doors might last home a bit better on this drier surface. Representing the Nicholls / Frost team, If You Say Run will find this a lot
harder than the mares’ handicap she won in the autumn. Doctor Dex has been progressing at a low level and this is a tough place to start in handicaps. Daybreak Boy is interesting, as a useful Flat racer turned exciting hurdler, who ran away with a Clonmel race in January.
Updated
One more race to go before the Festival comes to a close – the Martin Pipe Hurdle, in 15 minutes’ time.
Updated
Grand Annual (4.50) result
1 Croco Bay (Kielan Woods) 66-1
2 Bun Doran (P J Brennan) 11-1
3 Brelan D’As (Bryony Frost) 8-1
4 Forest Bihan (Danny Cook) 33-1
19 ran
Also: 9-2 Fav Magic Saint
Non Runner: 6
Updated
Here’s jockey Kielan Woods: “I’m so shell-shocked. I’ve been dreaming of this ever since I sat on a horse. As the years go by, you think it’ll never happen. I couldn’t believe how well he was jumping, and he kicked on down the hill. I thought ‘they’re gonna come by in a minute’. What a little horse. He’s fragile, but what a training performance. I don’t know what to say, really.”
That’s a first ever Cheltenham winner for trainer Ben Case – and what a performance from the veteran, and jockey Kielan Woods, cruising over the jumps as many of the favourites floundered. Brelan D’As was third, Forest Bihan fourth.
Croco Bay wins the Grand Annual!
The 66-1 shot looked to be tiring but Kielan Woods leads him home ahead of Bun Doran. The 12-year-old was a 66-1 shot!
Updated
Grand Annual (4.50): Not Another Muddle moving up the field with Theo and last year’s winner, Le Prezien, also well placed. Croco Bay and Bun Doran lead at the last...
Grand Annual (4.50): Not Another Muddle and Marracudja have both struggled over a couple of jumps, while Mr Medic nearly unseats his rider. A decent pace, with Brelan D’As and Forest Bihan behind the front two...
Grand Annual (4.50)
They’re off and safely over the first, with Croco Bay and Gino Trail leading the way...
Grand Annual betting
- Magic Saint – 5/1
- Not Another Muddle – 5/1
- Mind’s Eye – 13/2
- Brelan D’As – 17/2
- Whatswrongwithyou – 12/1
- Marracudja – 12/1
- Le Prezien – 12/1
- Bun Doran – 12/1
- Gino Trail – 20/1
- Top Gamble – 22/1
- Caid Du Lin – 25/1
- Mr Medic – 28/1
- Tree Of Liberty – 33/1
- Theo – 33/1
- Forest Bihan – 40/1
- Champagne At Tara – 50/1
- Croco Bay – 66/1
- Theflyingportrait – 80/1
- All Set To Go – 80/1
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Grand Annual (4.50) preview
Paul Nicholls seeks back-to-back wins in this two-mile handicap chase, his main hopes seemingly with Magic Saint, the ex-French youngster who might be leniently treated after a cosy win last time. Nicholls also has last year’s winner, Le Prezien, who hasn’t had his ideal conditions so far this winter. Not Another Muddle is the winner of three of his last four and may have more to offer, though he’d prefer more cut.
Whatswrongwithyou is a novice going places, having won his last two, and his opening mark is not harsh. Brelan D’As has enough ability to win a race like this but has flopped in three starts at Cheltenham.
Here’s our Gold Cup report:
Thanks Barry. I’m afraid I have to start with bad news: Invitation Only, who fell during the Gold Cup, has been euthanised. Desperately sad news, and it will put safety in the spotlight after the death of Sir Erec in today’s first race.
Barry Glendenning signing out here, as my presence is required elsewhere. Niall McVeigh will take you through the final two races. Over to you, Niall.
Foxhunters Chase (4.10) result
1 Hazel Hill (Mr Alex Edwards) 7-2 Fav
2 Shantou Flyer (Mr D Maxwell) 7-1
3 Top Wood (Miss T Worsley) 33-1
24 ran
Also: 7-1 Road To Rome 4th
Foxhunters Chase (4.10): Hazel Hill wins the Foxhunters under Alex Edwards for trainer Philip Rowley.
Foxhunters Chase (4.10): It’s between Road To Rome, Shantou Flyer, Hazel Hill and Top Wood as they hit the second last. Road to Rome is passed by Hazel Hill. Hazel Hill is driven clear up the run-in. Hazel Hill wins the Foxhunters!!!!
Updated
Foxhunters Chase (4.10): Road To Rome goes down on his nose 10 out, but stays upright. Some Are Lucky is decidedly unlucky and falls. There are eight to jump. Double Whammy, Haymount and One Connemara are all pulled up. Road To Rome continues to make the running under Sam Whaley Cohen.
Foxhunters Chase (4.10)
Off they go in the Foxhunters, aka The Gold Cup for amateur riders. Road to Rome is the early leader from Asockastar, Southfield Theatre and Shantou Flyer. The field is strung out like Wednesday’s washing with 12 fences to jump ...
Updated
Foxhunters Chase (4.10) betting
- Hazel Hill – 9/2
- Ucello Conti – 9/2
- Stand Up And Fight – 13/2
- Caid Du Berlais – 7/1
- Shantou Flyer – 17/2
- Road to Rome – 9/1
- Pacha Du Polder – 20/1
- Haymount – 22/1
- Cousin Pete – 33/1
- Top Wood – 40/1
- Coastal Tiep – 50/1
- Southfield Theatre – 50/1
- Timewaitsfornoone – 66/1
- Balnaslow – 66/1
- Chosen Dream – 66/1
- Double Whammy – 80/1
- Some Are Lucky – 100/1
- Asockstar – 100/1
- Samanntom – 125/1
- Just Cause – 200/1
- Don’t Do Mondays – 200/1
- Sybarite – 200/1
- Ardkilly Witness – 250/1
- One Conemara – 250/1
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Chris Cook's Gold Cup report ...
In about the same time as it took Al Boum Photo to cover the three miles and two furlongs of the Gold Cup course, Chris Cook tip-tapped this piping hot take on the race from Prestbury Park. Read on ...
Gallery: Our intrepid photographer, Tom “Pic: Tom Jenkins” Jenkins, has been wandering around Cheltenham for the past three days, pointing his camera at things and taking pictures of things. Check out his handiwork in the Gallery below, which wil;l be updated with pictures from the Gold Cup very shortly.
Gold Cup 3.30: Paul Townend finally gets to put to bed the weird incident at Punchestown last year when, with the Grade One Champion Novice Chase at his mercy, he looked around, veered off course and into the wing of a fence on Al Boum Photo, receiving a 21-day ban for his troubles in the process.
Gold Cup: “Willie Mullins finally secured Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup glory as Al Boum Photo galloped away in the hands of Paul Townend. Mullins had saddled the runner-up in the blue riband on multiple occasions and fielded four on this occasion, with 12-1 shot Al Boum Photo emerging best of all.
While two of Mullins’s horses were out of the race before halfway, Townend was still travelling brilliantly turning for home and his mount safely cleared the last two fences to win by two and a half lengths. Anibale Fly stayed on for second, with Bristol De Mai in third.
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Foxhunters Chase (4.10) preview
Here comes the amateurs’ Gold Cup, in which the excellent twosome Derek O’Connor and Jamie Codd top the betting. O’Connor is on Stand Up And Fight, a promising youngster who was somehow beaten in a point at odds-on last time. Codd rides Ucello Conti, who has a stack of placed efforts in valuable handicaps but struggled to win until he was switched into hunter chases. This is his first spin around Cheltenham. Hazel Hill is 11, like Ucello Conti, and therefore a bit senior but in the form of his life, judging by an emphatic success at Warwick.
Caid Du Berlais seemed not to see out the trip last year but it’s drier ground this time. Road To Rome has won all four races since joining his current trainer and his latest effort puts him right in the argument, though he could do without any overnight rain. Pacha Du Polder tries for a third successive win but is 12 now and comes here off the back of a weaker effort than he has put up for years.
Gold Cup 3.30: Al Boum Photo and Paul Townend are led in to the winners enclosure and receive a rapturous welcome from the huge crowd. Townend dismounts and removes his saddle before receiving the congratulations of the owners.
Updated
Gold Cup (3.30): After finishing second on six different occasions, Willie Mullins finally wins his first Gold Cup.
🏆 A L B O U M P H O T O 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9FAMiK4nra
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 15, 2019
Gold Cup (3.30) result
1 Al Boum Photo (P Townend) 12-1
2 Anibale Fly (B J Geraghty) 22-1
3 Bristol De Mai (D A Jacob) 18-1
16 ran
Also: 10-3 Fav Presenting Percy, 6-1 Native River 4th
CSF: 246.57
Tricast: 4681.17
Gold Cup (3.30) “I can’t believe it,” says winning jockey Paul Townend to ITV’s Oli Bell. “I want to thank the owner so much for sticking by me. And Willie. It’s a Gold Cup, there’s only one a year and I never dreamt I’d ever win it. It’s like any race - when it’s going well for you it looks so simple. It’s unbelievable. I’m privileged to be riding for Willie Mullins.”
AL BOUM PHOTO WINS THE GOLD CUP!!!
Gold Cup (3.30) Native River pressed by Al Boum Photo ... Al Boum Photo leads over the last and heads up the hill. Al Boum Photo wins by three lengths for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins. Al Boum Photo wins the Gold Cup.
Updated
Gold Cup (3.30): Native River and Might Bite are side by side in front, Al Boum Photo and Clan Des Obeaux are behind them. They bypass the third last fence ... Presenting Percy is being pushed along ...
Gold Cup (3.30): Might Bite and Native River lead the field, side by side. Clan Des Obeaux and Elegant Escape are next ... Native River leads from Might Bite, with Clan Des Obeaux a length behind them, Presenting Percy is down the field but travelling well. Thistlecrack is pulled up.
Gold Cup (3.30): Bellshill is pulled up. Might Bite leads from Invitation Only, then Native River and ... Invitation Only falls and brings down Definitely Red ...
Gold Cup (3.30): Might Bite goes over the third with Invitation Only in second place. Native River is making his way through the field, but is giving Richard Johnson plenty of trouble. Presenting Percy is at the back of the field. Definitely Red is prominent ...
Gold Cup (3.30) 3m 2f
They’re off and running in the big race of the week, the Magners Gold Cup. Might Bite makes the early running, while Native River is already being scrubbed along by Richard Johnson. Kemboy is a faller at the first ...
Gold Cup (3.30): With the parade over, the jockeys canter down to the start and give their horses a look over the practice fence before they congregate for the off, which is imminent.
Gold Cup (3.30): The horses have left the parade ring, wandered down the chute to the course and are now circling as they prepare for their parade in front of the grandstand.
Runners beginning to enter the paddock for the #Cheltenham #Gold Cup. A special moment in the racing year. Presenting Percy favourite at 7-2, Clan Des Obeaux 9-2.
— Greg Wood (@Greg_Wood_) March 15, 2019
Gold Cup (3.30) betting
- Presenting Percy – 4/1
- Clan Des Obeaux – 5/1
- Native River – 13/2
- Kemboy – 10/1
- Bellshill – 12/1
- Al Boum Photo – 12/1
- Thistlecrack – 14/1
- Might Bite – 16/1
- Elegant Escape – 20/1
- Bristol De Mai – 25/1
- Anibale Fly – 28/1
- Shattered Love – 33/1
- Invitation Only – 33/1
- Definitely Red – 66/1
- Double Shuffle – 150/1
- Yala Enki – 200/1
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Preview: Gold Cup (3.30)
There is a tide in the affairs of steeplechasers which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. That’s where Clan Des Obeaux and Kemboy are right now: talented, young, rapidly improving and surely the best in this field. I think Clan faced a stronger field when he won last time than Kemboy did, but that doesn’t necessarily make Clan the better horse. Pace may be the making of this race because Kemboy is likely to sit more forward than his main rival. If the pace is really strong, Clan will have his chance to pick them all off. If the pace is more restrained, perhaps Kemboy will be bounding up the hill before Clan can reel him in.
This ground is not as testing as last year, which is a problem for Native River. Something will prove faster than him, I expect. Presenting Percy has had a difficult preparation and his form is not as strong as it looked at one stage. Bellshill was well held by Kemboy in December before winning the Irish Gold Cup. Thistlecrack was less than two lengths behind Clan Des Obeaux last time and this more testing circuit should suit him better, though he is old for this at 11.
Might Bite, second last year, has more suitable ground this time but has yet to finish in front of a rival this winter. Bristol De Mai has been given time since his King George fall and perhaps that will help him improve on his seventh place of 2017. Al Boum Photo was held when falling behind Presenting Percy last year but has improved since.
Albert Bartlett (2.50) result
1 Minella Indo (Rachael Blackmore) 50-1
2 Commander Of Fleet (J W Kennedy) 4-1 Fav
3 Allaho (R Walsh) 8-1
20 ran
Also: 14-1 Dickie Diver 4th
Updated
Albert Bartlett (2.50): The 50-1 shot Minella Indo wins by two lengths from Commander Of Fleet. Allaho was third.
Albert Bartlett (2.50): Rhinestone is pulled up. Minella Indo and Derrinross continue to lead two out ... Minella Indo moves to the front for Rachael Blackmore ... Minella Indo kicks for home approaching the last ... Minella Indo goes over the last followed by Commander Of Fleet ... Minella Indo wins for Rachael Blackmore, her second winner of the week. Minella Indo wins the Albert Bartlett!
Updated
Albert Bartlett (2.50): Derrinross and Rockpoint lead a field where all the horses remain in contention. About 20 lengths separate first and last. Rockpoint leads from Derrinross, then Minella Indo and Naditak ... lots of horses with lots of chances as they approach the third from home.
Albert Bartlett (2.50): Derrinross and Cap York lead the tightly bunched field around the turn and downhill for the first time. Rockpoint is also to the fore ...
Albert Bartlett (2.50): They’re at the start for the third race of the day and ITV’s man at the first hurdle, Luke Harvey, has just found another horseshoe on the other side of the obstacle the jockeys were giving their mounts a pre-race peep over, showing them what lies ahead. Away they go, with Derrinross and Cap Rock leading the charge ...
A guard of honour for the retiring @noelfehily 👏 pic.twitter.com/MDPogVCgsB
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 15, 2019
A guard of honour for Noel Fehily: The veteran jockey announced yesterday that this will be his last Cheltenham Festival and he’s now leaving the weigh room for his final ride, on Dorrells Pierji. His fellow jockeys have formed a guard of honour to applaud him as he makes his way out to the parade ring. “He’ll be embarrassed by the guard of honour,” says AP McCoy on ITV. “But he’s a lovely fella and he really, really deserves it.”
Updated
Albert Bartlett (2.50) betting
- Birchdale – 11/2
- Commander of Fleet – 7/1
- Lisnagar Oscar – 15/2
- Allaho – 8/1
- Rhinestone – 10/1
- Derrinross – 11/1
- Dickie Diver – 12/1
- Dinons – 12/1
- Salsaretta – 20/1
- Cap York – 25/1
- Nadaitak – 33/1
- Stoney Mountain – 33/1
- Rockpoint – 33/1
- Aye Aye Charlie – 40/1
- First Approach – 40/1
- Dorrells Pierji – 50/1
- Ask Ben – 50/1
- Minella Indo
- Darlac – 125/1
- Alsa Mix – 150/1
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"Masterclass training performance!"@harryskelton89 gives all the credit to brother @Dannskelton as he chats to @olibellracing following Ch'tibello's win in the Randox Health County Hurdle pic.twitter.com/GEyApFkbsK
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 15, 2019
Albert Bartlett (2.50) preview
It took Bobs Worth to win this race for Nicky Henderson. Is Birchdale in that class? He lines up for the Seven Barrows trainer as the likely favourite here, having been possibly a shade fortuitous to score here in January. This is the softest ground he has met and his stamina for the extra half-mile is unknown.
Lisnagar Oscar is another who might have prefered drier ground. He’d be a welcome winner for the yard of Rebecca Curtis, who has won this before. Willie Mullins has Allaho, who looked so impressive at Clonmel last month, in a race that has sometimes thrown up Festival winners. Commander Of Fleet will appreciate the emphasis being put on stamina, which looks his long suit.
County Hurdle (2.10): Harry Skelton rides the winner for his brother, Dan. That’s the third time they’ve won this race. Last year, Harry’s bride-to-be, Bridget Andrews won on Mohayed, who she rode again this time round. The couple, who are getting married in August, had a little embrace at the end of the race.
Updated
County Hurdle (2.10) result
1 Ch’tibello (Harry Skelton) 12-1
2 We Have A Dream (D A Jacob) 14-1
3 Countister (B J Geraghty) 18-1
4 Whiskey Sour (R Walsh) 5-1 Fav
24 ran
Non Runners: 23, 25
County Hurdle (2.10): Eclair De Beaufeu and Ch’tibello leap the last together. Eclair De Beaufeu unships his rider and Ch’tibello powers up the home straight. Ch’tibello wins the County Hurdle.
Updated
County Hurdle (2.10): One to jump with laast year’s winner Mohaayed in front alongside Storm Rising and Sternrubin. Plenty still in with chances ...
County Hurdle (2.10): They’re off and running in the County Hurdle with Sternrubin, Storm Rising, Mohaayed and Mister Fizz at the front. Whiskey Sour is in midfield.
County Hurdle (2.10) 2m 1f: The horses are down at the start. On her way down the chute to the course, Monsieur Lecoq whipped around at the sight of something or other and parted company with his jockey, Lizzie Kelly. Luckily, she was unhurt, able to hold on to his reins and remounted immediately.
County Hurdle (2.10) betting
- Whiskey Sour – 9/2
- Monsieur Lecoq – 8/1
- Crooks Peak – 9/1
- Chtibello – 11/1
- Éclair De Beaufeu – 11/1
- Mr Adjudicator – 12/1
- Capitaine – 14/1
- Countister – 16/1
- We Have A Dream – 22/1
- Leoncavallo – 28/1
- Cut The Mustard – 28/1
- Western Ryder – 28/1
- Pingshou – 33/1
- Sternrubin – 33/1
- Lisp – 33/1
- Storm Rising – 40/1
- Mitchouka – 40/1
- High Expectations – 40/1
- Mohaayed – 40/1
- Due Reward – 40/1
- Thistle Do Nicely – 40/1
- Chieftans Choice – 150/1
- Brex Drago – 150/1
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Updated
Bryony Frost speaks: Having won the Ryanair Chase on Frodon yesterday, Bryony is being interviewed on ITV Racing. She reveals that she celebrated the biggest win of her career with a burger and a glass of Coca-Cola in Gloucester Services. The glamour of it all ...
Pentland Hills clearly ballooned first hurdle and Nico de Boinville nearly came off. All the more meritorious a performance ...
— Tony Paley (@tonypaley) March 15, 2019
Preview: County Hurdle (2.10)
Here’s a proper race for you, a 26-runner handicap hurdle over the minimum distance, a contest that will surely reward deep studying. Whiskey Sour heads the betting, because we all love it when Mullins and Walsh team up, but I’m not sure this would be the most obvious winner otherwise. He was third last year, hasn’t won since, is 3lb higher and hasn’t been seen since November. Mr Adjudicator might give Mullins a better chance, bearing in mind he won a Grade One as a juvenile and chased home Espoir D’Allen on his only start this season. Espoir D’Allen is the champion hurdler, in case you’ve forgotten.
Eclair De Beaufeu represents Gordon Elliott and was a “never nearer” fourth in his first handicap, a hot affair at the Dublin Racing Festival. Crooks Peak has a 5lb penalty for a recent win at Newbury and perhaps he can build on that first run for over two months. Monsieur Lecoq will have to be tough, having been second in tiring conditions in Saturday’s Imperial Cup; if he’s ready to go again, he may reward more patient tactics. Magic Dancer was second in the Betfair, though the form has not been upheld by the winner or the fourth. Capitaine might be more comfortable turning right.
Triumph Hurdle (1.30): As I suspected it would be, it has been confirmed that Sir Erec has had to be put down. What a shame that is. Commiserations to his connections: trainer Joseph O’Brien, owner JP McManus, jockey Mark Walsh and of course, whatever member of O’Brien’s staff had the job of looking after him. That person, whoever he or she may be, will almost certainly be devastated.
Updated
Triumph Hurdle (1.30): I’ll bring news on the fate of Sir Erec just as soon as I get it, but I don’t expect it to be good.
Triumph Hurdle (1.30) result
1 Pentland Hills (Nico de Boinville) 20-1
2 Coeur Sublime (D N Russell) 20-1
3 Gardens of Babylon (B J Geraghty) 9-1
14 ran
Also: 11-10 Fav Sir Erec, 66-1 Nelson River 4th
Tote: win 19.40 places 3.50 5.80 2.10
Tote Exacta: 672.40
CSF: 335.63
Tricast: 3840.73
Updated
Triumph Hurdle (1.30): I’m no veterinary surgeon, but my old man is and I suspect Sir Erec, the favourite, will need to be euthanised after suffering what looked an awful injury between fences in that race. There will, of course, be questions asked about whether he should have run following reports that he had a sore foot last week.
Pentland Hills wins the Triumph Hurdle! Pentland Hills survives a mistake to win the opener under Nico De Boinville for trainer Nicky Henderson. Coeur Sublime was second and Gardens of Babylon was third.
Updated
Triumph Hurdle (1.30): Quel Destin continues to make the running in a tightly bunched field with plenty in contention. Coeur Sublime moves into the lead with Pentland Hills alongside him as they both breast the last.
Triumph Hurdle (1.30): Quel Destin sets a decent gallop tracked by Sir Erec ... oh no, Sir Erec is pulled up abruptly with what looks like a bad injury. The favourite is out of the Triumph Hurdle.
Triumph Hurdle (1.30): They’re off and running, seven minutes later than scheduled on this final day of the Festival. Quel Destin makes the running with Sir Erec in second. Pentland Hills makes a bit of a hash of the first hurdle, but Nico De Boinvelle stays in the saddle.
Triumph Hurdle (1.30): With millions of TV viewers looking on, the farrier hammers the nails into a replacement shoe, files the edges and Sir Erec stands calmly and doesn’t bat an eyelid. Mark Walsh gets legged back up into the saddle and they’ll be away in a minute.
Triumph Hurdle (1.30) 2m 1f
Sir Erec, the hot favourite for this opener on the final day, has lost a front shoe on the way down to the start. Jockey Mark Walsh has dismounted, the horse is standing quietly and the farrier is currently working on fitting him with a replacement. It’s a far from ideal situation, but remarkably for a young horse, Sir Erec is not even remotely phased and couldn’t be more placid.
Triumph Hurdle (1.30) betting
- Sir Erec – 1/1
- Quel Destin – 5/1
- Tiger Tap Tap – 12/1
- Gardens of Babylon – 12/1
- Pic dOrhy – 16/1
- Adjali – 22/1
- Pentland Hills – 25/1
- Coeur Sublime – 28/1
- Hannon – 50/1
- French Made – 66/1
- Authorizo – 80/1
- Runrized – 100/1
- Nelson River – 125/1
- Ecco – 125/1
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No, it wasn’t a dream.
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 15, 2019
For Bryony Frost and Frodon, The Festival fairytale really did come true…#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/lPCkPg3Y9E
Won't somebody think of the bookmakers?
Good news!!! Bookmakers are on the cusp of their most costly Cheltenham Festival in history with industry figures suggesting they’re down by £50m already - a figure that is set to surge if results don’t go their way on Gold Cup day, reports bookmakers.tv. As a result, bookies have already taken evasive action and Sir Erec, widely seen as one of the week’s bankers, has been cut to odds on and is around 5/6 from 5/4.
A bookmakers.tv spokesman said: “It’s painfully simple for bookmakers today; a bad result in the Gold Cup and this week could go down in history as the most expensive Cheltenham Festival on record.”
Preview: Triumph Hurdle (1.30)
The bookmakers took a shellacking on Day Three and will therefore be delighted to see that Friday’s card opens with a hot favourite. Sir Erec is threatening to go odds-on as he tries to follow up his Leopardstown romp last month and it looks as though only the hurdles may stand in his way. But Paul Nicholls will take a couple of shots at him, with Quel Destin, the winner of six hurdle races, and Pic D’Orhy, who had some really strong-looking form in France but has yet to run here. Beyond them, the next horses in the betting are Tiger Tap Tap and Gardens Of Babylon, who were both well behind Sir Erec last time.
Best mate in the weighing room?
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) March 15, 2019
Get to know top rider @CobdenHarry a little better! pic.twitter.com/rsklzhL4eH
BHA accused of having "anti-amateur agenda"
Today’s Foxhunter Chase, known as the amateurs’ Gold Cup because it is run over the same course and distance, will take place amid widespread concern that racing’s ruling body is no longer comfortable with amateur participation at the Cheltenham Festival.
The British Horseracing Authority was accused on social media of having an “anti-amateur agenda” after the stewards banned Johnny Barry for 12 days on Thursday in response to his ride in the Kim Muir. Barry’s mount, Drumconnor Lad, was tailed off before falling at the final fence and lying winded for several minutes before rising to his feet. Given that Barry had no hope of reaching a place, as there were 17 others in front of him when his horse fell, sympathy for his position may be limited.
But the subject is a very touchy one for racing insiders, many of whom were outraged when three jockeys were banned after Tuesday’s National Hunt Chase for continuing in the race on tired horses; one of the three eventually finished third and Sir Anthony McCoy was among those expressing bafflement at the idea that a jockey should be expected to pull up his mount when third place was achievable in a Festival race.
Preview: Martin Pipe Hurdle (5.30)
The last race of the Cheltenham Festival is a handicap hurdle for conditional (inexperienced) jockeys. It has been won for the past two years by Gordon Elliott, who worked for Pipe and has said he makes a target of the race. His Dallas Des Pictons, a winner at the Dublin Racing Festival, looks the right favourite, though he has gone up 10lb. Third in this last year, Early Doors might last home a bit better on this drier surface. Representing the Nicholls / Frost team, If You Say Run will find this a lot harder than the mares’ handicap she won in the autumn. Doctor Dex has been progressing at a low level and this is a tough place to start in handicaps. Daybreak Boy is interesting, as a useful Flat racer turned exciting hurdler, who ran away with a Clonmel race in January.
Preview: Grand Annual (4.50)
Paul Nicholls seeks back-to-back wins in this two-mile handicap chase, his main hopes seemingly with Magic Saint, the ex-French youngster who might be leniently treated after a cosy win last time. Nicholls also has last year’s winner, Le Prezien, who hasn’t had his ideal conditions so far this winter. Not Another Muddle is the winner of three of his last four and may have more to offer, though he’d prefer more cut. Whatswrongwithyou is a novice going places, having won his last two, and his opening mark is not harsh. Brelan D’As has enough ability to win a race like this but has flopped in three starts at Cheltenham.
Preview: Foxhunters Chase (4.10)
Here comes the amateurs’ Gold Cup, in which the excellent twosome Derek O’Connor and Jamie Codd top the betting. O’Connor is on Stand Up And Fight, a promising youngster who was somehow beaten in a point at odds-on last time. Codd rides Ucello Conti, who has a stack of placed efforts in valuable handicaps but struggled to win until he was switched into hunter chases. This is his first spin around Cheltenham. Hazel Hill is 11, like Ucello Conti, and therefore a bit senior but in the form of his life, judging by an emphatic success at Warwick.
Caid Du Berlais seemed not to see out the trip last year but it’s drier ground this time. Road To Rome has won all four races since joining his current trainer and his latest effort puts him right in the argument, though he could do without any overnight rain. Pacha Du Polder tries for a third successive win but is 12 now and comes here off the back of a weaker effort than he has put up for years.
Preview: Gold Cup (3.30)
There is a tide in the affairs of steeplechasers which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. That’s where Clan Des Obeaux and Kemboy are right now: talented, young, rapidly improving and surely the best in this field. I think Clan faced a stronger field when he won last time than Kemboy did, but that doesn’t necessarily make Clan the better horse. Pace may be the making of this race because Kemboy is likely to sit more forward than his main rival. If the pace is really strong, Clan will have his chance to pick them all off. If the pace is more restrained, perhaps Kemboy will be bounding up the hill before Clan can reel him in.
This ground is not as testing as last year, which is a problem for Native River. Something will prove faster than him, I expect. Presenting Percy has had a difficult preparation and his form is not as strong as it looked at one stage. Bellshill was well held by Kemboy in December before winning the Irish Gold Cup. Thistlecrack was less than two lengths behind Clan Des Obeaux last time and this more testing circuit should suit him better, though he is old for this at 11.
Might Bite, second last year, has more suitable ground this time but has yet to finish in front of a rival this winter. Bristol De Mai has been given time since his King George fall and perhaps that will help him improve on his seventh place of 2017. Al Boum Photo was held when falling behind Presenting Percy last year but has improved since.
Preview: Albert Bartlett (2.50)
It took Bobs Worth to win this race for Nicky Henderson. Is Birchdale in that class? He lines up for the Seven Barrows trainer as the likely favourite here, having been possibly a shade fortuitous to score here in January. This is the softest ground he has met and his stamina for the extra half-mile is unknown.
Lisnagar Oscar is another who might have prefered drier ground. He’d be a welcome winner for the yard of Rebecca Curtis, who has won this before. Willie Mullins has Allaho, who looked so impressive at Clonmel last month, in a race that has sometimes thrown up Festival winners. Commander Of Fleet will appreciate the emphasis being put on stamina, which looks his long suit.
Preview: County Hurdle (2.10)
Here’s a proper race for you, a 26-runner handicap hurdle over the minimum distance, a contest that will surely reward deep studying. Whiskey Sour heads the betting, because we all love it when Mullins and Walsh team up, but I’m not sure this would be the most obvious winner otherwise. He was third last year, hasn’t won since, is 3lb higher and hasn’t been seen since November. Mr Adjudicator might give Mullins a better chance, bearing in mind he won a Grade One as a juvenile and chased home Espoir D’Allen on his only start this season. Espoir D’Allen is the champion hurdler, in case you’ve forgotten.
Eclair De Beaufeu represents Gordon Elliott and was a “never nearer” fourth in his first handicap, a hot affair at the Dublin Racing Festival. Crooks Peak has a 5lb penalty for a recent win at Newbury and perhaps he can build on that first run for over two months. Monsieur Lecoq will have to be tough, having been second in tiring conditions in Saturday’s Imperial Cup; if he’s ready to go again, he may reward more patient tactics. Magic Dancer was second in the Betfair, though the form has not been upheld by the winner or the fourth. Capitaine might be more comfortable turning right.
1.30 Triumph Hurdle
The bookmakers took a shellacking on Day Three and will therefore be delighted to see that Friday’s card opens with a hot favourite. Sir Erec is threatening to go odds-on as he tries to follow up his Leopardstown romp last month and it looks as though only the hurdles may stand in his way. But Paul Nicholls will take a couple of shots at him, with Quel Destin, the winner of six hurdle races, and Pic D’Orhy, who had some really strong-looking form in France but has yet to run here. Beyond them, the next horses in the betting are Tiger Tap Tap and Gardens Of Babylon, who were both well behind Sir Erec last time.
Top jockeys after Day Three
- Barry Geraghty 2
- Nico De Boinville 2
- Mark Walsh 2
- Jamie Codd 2
- JJ Slevin 1
- Paul Townend 1
- Harry Cobden 1
- Ruby Walsh 1
- Rachael Blackmore 1
- Keith Donoghue 1
- Aidan Coleman 1
- Noel Fehily 1
- Bryony Frost 1
- Lizzie Kelly 1
- Jerry McGrath 1
- Derek O’Connor 1
- Harry Skelton 1
Barry Geraghty has plenty of doubters these days but the rides he gave Defi and Sire Du Berlais to win the first two races on Thursday were at least as good as any we’ve seen this week, determined and highly effective. I accept that you don’t see the best of him in every race but he’s still top class when he sets his mind on a race. Richard Johnson, Jack Kennedy, Davy Russell, Daryl Jacob, Robbie Power and Sam Twiston-Davies don’t have a winner between them, which just underlines why it matters so much to every jockey who manages to get one. Ruby Walsh, you’ll recall, won the very first race of the week and it was just like old times, but perhaps the effort required to get a Guardian nap over the line took something out of him; he’s 0/10 since, all his mounts starting at 9-1 or shorter.
Top jockey betting: 7-4 Barry Geraghty 9-4 Mark Walsh 5-1 Nico De Boinville 12-1 Harry Cobden 16-1 Ruby Walsh 16-1 Paul Townend 20-1 Jamie Codd
Top trainers after Day Three
- Willie Mullins 3 wins
- Nicky Henderson 3
- Gordon Elliott 3
- Paul Nicholls 2
- Joseph O’Brien 1
- Philip Hobbs 1
- Dan Skelton 1
- Ben Pauling 1
- Martin Brassil 1
- Henry De Bromhead 1
- Gavin Cromwell 1
- Emma Lavelle 1
- Ted Walsh 1
- Nick Williams 1
- Ireland 11 Britain 10
The same names are at the top of the heap but the superpowers aren’t dominating to quite the same extent as last year, when Mullins and Elliott had 13 wins between them by this stage. Nicholls is looking in great shape for his title bid, having won two Grade Ones, one more than Henderson, with Clan Des Obeaux still to come in the Gold Cup. You could worry about the form of Colin Tizzard, who is 0/15 at this Festival and, more troublingly, one from 43 over the past two weeks. Still, Lostintranslation ran a fair race when second in the JLT, so perhaps there’s nothing much in it. Hopefully, Thistlecrack and Native River will be able to show their best form in the Gold Cup.
Top trainer betting: 6-4 Willie Mullins 2-1 Gordon Elliott 9-4 Nicky Henderson 20-1 Paul Nicholls
Updated
Today's races and our tips
- 1.30 Triumph Hurdle Sir Erec 10-11
- 2.10 County Hurdle Eclair De Beaufeu 10-1
- 2.50 Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle Allaho 7-1
- 3.30 Cheltenham Gold Cup Clan Des Obeaux (nap) 5-1
- 4.10 Foxhunter Chase Hazel Hill 6-1
- 4.50 Grand Annual Handicap Chase Magic Saint 5-1
- 5.30 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle Daybreak Boy (nb) 16-1
Which essentially boils down to: Irish hurdlers and Paul Nicholls chasers. The Somerset trainer has already had his best Festival for a decade and two more on the final day does not seem too much to ask. Regarding my picks for the handicap hurdles, I’m either disappointed with the prices or encouraged by the market’s interest in them; I can’t really decide which, but I’ll choose to be happy if either of them wins. There’s no getting away from Sir Erec but I find Allaho more exciting as a prospect.
The Betfair Cheltenham Festival tipping competition
Congratulations to RoryD, who won Thursday’s competition by the simple expedient of being the only person in the whole world who fancied Eglantine Du Seuil (50-1) in the Dawn Run. Along with Frodon, that put him on a score of +49.50 for the day, which is acceptable. Rory, we’ll be in touch by email.
You could win a £100 account credit from Betfair 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, which you can read here, 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.
If you don’t win today ... despair! This is your last chance until Royal Ascot to win a prize through us.
Greg Wood sets the scene
It was a memorable afternoon at Cheltenham on Thursday on what tends to be seen as the weakest card of the meeting, but even the heroics of Frodon and Paisley Park are likely to take second billing behind this afternoon’s Gold Cup when the account of the 2019 Festival is written. A close second perhaps, but it does not matter how many days or races are added to the schedule: the Gold Cup always stands alone as the one we all remember.
Last year’s epic duel between Native River and Might Bite, both of whom are back in the field today, was particularly unforgettable, but it played out on the worst Festival ground for many years and their rivals found it impossible to make ground once Richard Johnson and Nico de Bonville had taken control up front. The conditions will not be so demanding today – the going is current described as good-to-soft – and a lot more of the field are likely to get into the race.
Sixteen are due to go to post in all at 3.30 and the make-up of the race is slightly odd in that the three trainers who have dominated recent Festivals cannot muster a runner at below 10-1 between them.
Presenting Percy, unsighted over fences since winning last year’s RSA, is still just about favourite to follow up for mystery man Pat Kelly – even Davy Russell, Presenting Percy’s jockey, doesn’t know where Kelly lives and hasn’t sat on the horse since he won over hurdles at Gowran Park in January. Clan Des Obeaux, though, is pressing him hard at the top of the market and could yet start favourite to give Paul Nicholls, who has already saddled his first Grade One winners here since 2015 this week, a fifth win in the race.
Willie Mullins, who still has a big hole on his cv where a Gold Cup should be, has four runners this afternoon but all are priced at 11-1 and up, while Gordon Elliott relies on the outsider Shattered Love, last year’s JLT Novice Chase winner. She has had wind surgery since a disappointing run last time out, gets 7lb from the field and should not be dismissed out of hand at around 25-1.
Even a place in the Gold Cup could prove significant in one of the closest races for the trainers’ title for years, which sees Mullins, Elliott and Nicky Henderson all still trading at odds-against. Mullins is the narrow favourite at around 6-4 on Betfair, with Henderson next at 9-4 and Elliott at 5-2.
The head-to-head between Britain and Ireland to finish the week in front is also still up for grabs, with Ireland currently 11-10 in front and even-money favourites on Betfair. Chris Cook’s selections for the final day of the meeting are here, and the action gets underway with the traditional Gold Cup day opener, the Triumph Hurdle, at 1.30.
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