On Gold Cup day, we were treated to another special showing at Cheltenham Festival. The punters were certainly feeling good after the first two races as the favourites came in, but stole the headlines with a Gold Cup day.
Matt Hulmes of Betfred reflected: “The Colonel Of Closutton has caused chaos on the trading floor today and ensured we have done our conkers. It was neck and neck in the bookies vs punters battle going into Gold Cup Day but Willie’s winners have ensured a winning festival for the backers.
"Couple that with the punter's darling Rachael Blackmore striking gold on A Plus Tard and it was already mare before Billaway blazed up the hill and then Mullins’ Mare, Elimay, became his fifth winner of the day.”
1.30 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
The punters that had a double early on got their hopes up as Vauban delivered in leg one. He was a relatively calm runner throughout a race that was taken on by Porticello and Fil Dor, but Paul Townend timed his move to perfection to outclass the Gordon Elliott duo of Pied Piper and Fil Dor.
Cheltenham 1.30 results
1st - Vauban (6/4 fav)
2nd - Fil Dor (11/2)
3rd - Pied Piper (7/2)
2.10 County Hurdle
A Grade 1 horse amongst Grade 3 company. That was the billing given to State Man ahead of the race and although he didn’t streak clear, he did move quickly over the final two furlongs from the middle of the pack, to take the win. It was a vintage performance and Townend was two for two.
Cheltenham 2.10 results
1st - State Man
2nd - First Street
3rd - Colonel Mustard
4th - West Cork
2.50 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
What a brilliant performance this was. Ginto picked up a heartbreaking fatal injury ahead of the final fence and so it was The Nice Guy who finished strongest to take the win.
1st - The Nice Guy
2nd - Minella Cocooner
3rd - Bardenstown Lad
3.30 The Gold Cup
Rachael Blackmore and A Plus Tard sensationally won the Gold Cup after chasing down Minella Indo and taking the lead over the final furlong. The Queen of Cheltenham learnt from her mistakes in this race last year, where she failed to overhaul Minella Indo, and this time managed to get past him and secure a huge victory.
Gold Cup results
1st - A Plus Tard (3/1 fav)
2nd - Minella Indo (7/1)
3rd - Protektorat (10/1)
@rachaelblackmor is a Gold Cup heroine with a sensational victory in the Blue Riband event, leading home a 1-2 for @HenrydeBromhead
#TheFestival
4.10 Foxhunters Chase
What a finish to this one! Winged Leader looked for all the world to have it in the bag as it led by at least six lengths over the final fence, but the favourite Billaway found some speed from nowhere to pip him at the post.
Cheltenham 4.10 results
1st - Billaway (13/8 fav)
2nd - Winged Leader (9/2)
3rd - Mighty Stowaway (33/1)
4th - Dubai Quest (13/2)
4.50 Mares Chase
Elimay came out on top in a four horse race to the finish in the 4.50 as she outfought Scarlet and Dove and Pink Legend after the final fence.
Cheltenham 4.50 results
1st - Elimay (9/4)
2nd - Pink Legend (33/1)
3rd - Zambella (10/1)
5.30 Handicap Hurdle
Banbridge ran a stoming last three furlongs to take an impressive win in the final race of the Festival.
5.30pm Cheltenham results
1st - Banbridge (11/1)
2nd - Cobblers Dream (12/1)
3rd - Hollow Games (9/2)
4th - Freedom to Dream (20/1)
5th - Party Business (28/1)
