Cheltenham as it happened: Native River wins the Gold Cup in thrilling finish ahead of Might Bite
Follow the latest from the final day at the Cheltenham Festival
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Your support makes all the difference.The final day of the Cheltenham Festival saw all eyes on the Gold Cup as Might Bite was beaten in a thrilling finish by 5/1-shot Native River, with Colin Tizzard preventing rival Nicky Henderson from recording a famous Cheltenham treble.
Henderson has already trained the winners of the Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase in Buveur d’Air and Altior respectively, with De Boinville riding the latter to victory after Barry Geraghty won the former.
De Boinville returned to the saddle on 4/1 favourite Might Bite for the Gold Cup at 15:30, with Henderson bidding to become the first trainer in history to win the Cheltenham treble, and his bid wass made that little bit easier in the absence of last year’s runner-up Minella Rocco as well as Double Shuffle and Shantou Flyer.
But after leading from the get-go with Might Bite right on his tail, the Tizzard-trained Native River stayed at the front from start to finish to record a brilliant victory, holding off the favourite as they raced to the line.
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What time does it start?
The action begins from 13:30, with the Gold Cup set to start at 15:30.
Where can I watch it?
The full week will be shown live on ITV from 13:00 each day, with coverage also shown live on the ITV Hub online and on their app. There will also be a preview for each day with The Opening Show from 09:30.
Top Wood now leads by a good five or six lengths with just six jumps to go.
Pacha Du Polder wins the Foxhunter Chase, holding off a late challenge from Top Wood!
Foxhunter Chase results
- Pacha Du Polder
- Top Wood
- JOINT: Barel Of Laughs & Cousin Pete
The penultimate race of this year's festival is the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. That gets underway at 4.50pm and we'll have the latest odds for you in a few moments.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
- Flawless Escape – 7/1
- Deal Destruval – 15/2
- Diese Des Bieffes – 9/1
- Sire Du Berlais - 8/1
- Early Doors – 10/1
- Blow by Blow – 12/1
- Carter McKay – 14/1
- Melrose Boy – 18/1
- Burrows Saint – 18/1
- Mr Big Shot – 20/1
- Lough Derg Spirit – 33/1
- Dream Berry – 33/1
- Tommy Rapper – 33/1
- Coeur de Lion – 40/1
- Brelan Das – 40/1
- No Hassle Hoff – 40/1
- Delire Destruval – 50/1
- Flaxen Flare – 66/1
- Poppy Kay – 66/1
- Arthington – 66/1
Odds courtesy of Oddschecker
Jockey Richard Johnson lifts the trophy as he celebrates after winning the Gold Cup
It has just been confirmed that Gold Cup-winning jockey Richard Johnson has been handed a seven-day suspension and a £6,000 fine for excessive use of the whip on Native River.
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