Cheltenham LIVE: Results, winners and latest updates from Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup schedule, racecard and all the action as the Festival concludes on Day 4
Galopin Des Champs proved too strong for Bravemansgame with a brilliant performance to land the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, Galopin Des Champs was sent off the 7/5 favourite to make a successful step up in trip in the three-mile-two-furlong showpiece.
And while he was unproven over the distance, his stamina was never in doubt as he outstayed Bravemansgame up the Cheltenham hill to claim an impressive seven-length verdict.
Last year’s winner Rachael Blackmore was unable to repeat her historic triumph 12 months on, as she pulled up on A Plus Tard after being caught by a falling horse five fences out.
Follow all of our final-day coverage from the 2023 Cheltenham Festival below:
3.30 - Cheltenham Gold Cup
Galopin Des Champs is the favourite with A Plus Tard his closest rival.
Davy Russell is another jockey who’s stepped down from the race. Sam Ewing will ride Conflated instead.
Trainer Dan Skelton on Protektorat’s chances in the Gold Cup:
"Today I am lucky to have chances in early races ahead of the big one, but you have made your team selection, given your team talk and you just let them get on with on with it.
"You have to try to enjoy these days and I know there is nothing more I can do.
"The owners (which includes Sir Alex Ferguson) know they have a big chance, but they know it is sport and anything can happen but pressure is a privilege."
Stay Away Fay wins the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Here’s Harry Cobden riding Stay Away Fay to victory in the Albert Bartlett:
Mark Walsh won’t race in Gold Cup
Jockey Mark Walsh who just suffered the fall with Corbetts Cross stands down from the Gold Cup. He’s replaced with Nico de Boinville who will ride Minella Indo.
Stay Away Fay wins the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Winning trainer Paul Nicholls, speaking ITV Racing: “He looks fantastic. He ran how he looked. He jumped really well. There’s lots of improvement to come from him.
“Having had two winners now I am dead relaxed. It makes such a difference.”
Stay Away Fay wins the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Winning jockey Harry Cobden, speaking to ITV Racing: “I could hear what happened behind me. My horse is very inexperienced, he’s very green but he got his head down.
“This horse stays forever. Great for the boss.”
The Cheltenham Gold Cup
Next up is the big one. Not just today but for the whole week. The Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Rachael Blackmore famously won this race last year with A Plus Tard and returns to try and recover her title but she’ll face strong competition this year.
Stay Away Fay wins the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Corbetts Cross spotted a gap and tried to dart around the final hurdle. He clattered into the plastic covering which sent jockey Mark Walsh to the deck.
Walsh is up on his feet but looks a bit shaken. The horse seems okay too.
Stay Away Fay wins the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Result:
1. Stay Away Fay - 18/1
2. Affordale Fury - 150/1
3. Sandor Clegane - 28/1
4. Letsbeclearaboutit - 16/1
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