It’s over as quickly as it began. Cheltenham Festival 2023 is in the books, with Friday centring around one of the most anticipated races on the calendar. Galopin Des Champs galloped away with the Cheltenham Gold Cup as the The Greatest Show on Turf reached its crescendo.
Here is a full rundown of the final day of the Festival.
JCB Triumph Hurdle
1st. Lossiemouth (11/8)
2nd. Gala Marceau (10/3)
3rd. Zenta (12/1)
The strident figure of Willie Mullins ably demonstrated the influence he has had over this week, training the top four in Friday’s opener. Lossiemouth was pushed out wide on one corner but otherwise looked a class above competitors Gala Marceau and Zenta in an entertaining first race of the day. The Triumph was a fourth win at this year’s festival for jockey Paul Townend, but it wouldn’t be his last of the Festival.
County Handicap Hurdle
1st. Faivoir (33/1)
2nd. Pied Piper (12/1)
3rd. Filey Bay (6/1)
Dan Skelton trained his fourth County Handicap Hurdle winner in the second race of the day. Faivoir was under the guidance of Bridget Andrews, who looked to have little trouble guiding the eight-year-old home. Pied Piper gave a good account, coming close to reeling in the eventual victor, but it wasn’t to be.
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
1st. Stay Away Fay (18/1)
2nd. Affordale Fury (150/1)
3rd. Sandor Clegane (28/1)
Stay Away Fay stunned a few as Harry Cobden entered a performance to remember on board the six-year-old. Pre-race favourite Corbetts Cross unseated jockey Mark Walsh on the last jump. A heavy fall on the outside of the barrier left the rider shaken and unable to take Minella Indo in the Gold Cup.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
1st. Galopin Des Champs (7/5)
2nd. Bravemansgame (6/1)
3rd. Conflated (22/1)
Galopun Des Champs took home the big one, as Cheltenham’s banner race was decided. Paul Townend once again rode a Willie Mullins charge to success on this ground. A St Patrick’s Day victory for the Irish duo felt wholly appropriate and summed up the dominance of the pair this week. The victory would see Townend crowned Champion Jockey for this year’s Festival. Last year’s victor Rachael Blackmore had been hotly-tipped on A Plus Tard, but pulled up following an incident that left her with too much to do.
Hunters' Chase
1st. Premier Magic (66/1)
2nd. It's On The Line (28/1)
3rd. Shantou Flyer (50/1)
One of the ultimate long-shot winners of the week, Premier Magic overcame the stage fright that plagued his performance last year to excel in the Hunters’ Chase. The only regret victorious jockey Bradley Gibbs had was that his family couldn’t watch him win. Speaking to ITV Racing, Gibbs said, “Unbelievable. The worst part of it was my partner and son hasn't come today because they couldn't get a babysitter and my dad is in hospital. I wish they could have been here.”
Mares' Chase
1st. Impervious (15/8)
2nd. Allegorie De Vassy (13/8f)
3rd. Pink Legend (33/1)
A patient win for Brian Hayes' aboard Impervious, going head to head with Paul Townend's Allegorie De Vassy following the 17th and final hurdle, with Townend taking the jump much better but Impervious living up to its name in the final furlongs. It's the first Cheltenham victory for jockey Brian Hayes and just a third win at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival for JP McManus, following the wins by Sire Du Berlais and A Dream To Share.
Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
1st. Iroko (6/1)
2nd. No Ordinary Joe (14/1)
3rd. Buddy One (28/1)
Iroko takes the final race of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, a first festival win for jockey Aidan Kelly. A third win in a row for Iroko, after wins at Wetherby in January and November. No Ordinary Joe travelled well and led following the final hurdle but Iroko had the ultimate pace to hunt down the leader and take the top spot in the last race of the festival. It's a quickfire double for JP McManus at the end of day four.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
