Richard Johnson has hailed an ‘amazing’ Native River, after Colin Tizzard’s star battled off favourite Might Bite in a thrilling finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Colin Tizzard’s eight-year-old, who finished third in this race last year, made the running and looked to be under pressure from market leader Might Bite as they turned for home.
But after a perfectly timed jump at the final fence, he drew out a determined four-and-a-half length winner over Might Bite of the blue ribband event at the Cheltenham Festival. 33-1 shot Anibale Fly was third.
Native River made history, becoming the first horse to win the Gold Cup after losing a previous renewal.
"I'm speechless. He's been a fantastic horse for me and I was lucky to pick up the ride on him,” said champion jockey Johnson.
"He's just amazing. He jumps for fun. I was getting squeezed, but at the second-last and the last he just wanted it so much.
"I knew Nico (de Boinville, on Might Bite) was there and to be fair to Might Bite, he's run a hell of race, but I think we just outstayed him. They are two very brave horses."
"Eighteen years (since Looks Like Trouble) seems a long time!"
The victory proved a first Gold Cup success for Dorset based trainer Colin Tizzard.
"It's unreal,” said the Venn Farm maestro.
“The Cheltenham Gold Cup is everything in everyone's life and there's no pretending it's not. Richard Johnson was galloping as fast as he could and jumping as fast as he could all the time and the horse never let him down once.
"Might Bite came to him and I thought that was it, but he just powered away again.
"We've had a wonderful preparation with him, so you think something's going to go wrong in the race, but it didn't. His form has gone on from last year.
"I can't believe it. It doesn't get better, does it?"
Harry Cobden enjoyed his first taste of Cheltenham Festival success as he steered 33-1 outsider Kilbricken Storm to victory in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle.
It was the first of two winners for Colin Tizzard, whose seven-year-old defeated Ok Corral in second and third place Santini, both trained by Nicky Henderson.
Elsewhere Gordon Elliott was crowned top trainer at the four day Festival after he enjoyed two victories on the final day.
Farclas landed the opening Triumph Hurdle, as hot favourite Apple’s Shakira could finish only fourth, before Blow By Blow’s front running tactics paid off as he took the Martin Pipe.
Mohayaad won County Hurdle to give Dan Skelton his first winner of the meeting, meanwhile Pacha Du Polder reclaimed the Foxhunters Chase under Harriett Tucker giving leading trainer Paul Nicholls his first winner of the week. Nicholls also saddled Grand Annual winner Le Prezien.
