August 2017

On the 14th of March, 2014, Prestbury Park witnessed the most exciting Gold Cup chase in years and it was Lord Windermere, ridden by Davy Russell, who won by a nose via a photo finish to claim the 2014 prize.

A Decade on from Best Mate

Jim Culloty was celebrating on the winner’s rostrum, this time as trainer, 10 years on from doing the same as jockey of the legendary Best Mate. How sweet it was for him.

Redemption

Irish champion jump jockey Davy Russell achieved this feat, a little under 3 months after losing his job as principal rider for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown Stud. The win came as sweet redemption for Russell, who had been secretly shocked at losing his place.

Controversy

The passage to the completion of this, the 86th running of the famous race, was far from simple or free from contentious moments. The controversy began even before the race, as Last Instalment was allowed to run, despite his trainer Philip Fenton, being the subject of a drugs enquiry.

It was in vain however, as Last Instalment fell 6 from home.

Closing Stages

The race itself had passed uneventfully, at least until the later stages, with eventual winner, Lord Windermere looking like he may be run out of contention, sitting at the rear of the field for as long as he did. It became apparent however, that this was a tactic to stay clear of trouble and when it mattered, the gelding had plenty left to give.

Heading around the final turn, Lord Windermere seemed almost out of it at the back of the leading pack, but shortly after, he started to make his way through the field for a shock 20-1 win a short nose ahead of Willie Mullins’ trained horse, On His Own at 16-1, followed by Silviniaco in third.

Further Controversy

Even after winning post had been passed, there was still confusion as to the result, with a steward’s enquiry raised regarding suspected interference. David Casey on On His Own, who finished 2nd, claimed he would have won without the interference from the winner, who was being forced wide by 7-2 2nd favourite Silviniaco Conti in the final moments of the race.

The stewards upheld the result stood however, and a jubilant crowd had seen one of the most eventful and exciting races in living memory.

The 2014 Cheltenham festival had needed a shot in the arm, after Raya Star’s death earlier in the festival and Jockeys Ruby Walsh and Daryl Jacob in hospital nursing broken bones and boy, did they get it.

There will have been few leaving Prestbury Park following this amazing race, that would feel they hadn’t been entertained. The race had everything and more.

Roll on 2015!

 

The Cheltenham Gold Cup 2013 came to a thrilling climax, as the 11-4 bookies’ favourite, Bobs Worth romped home 7 lengths ahead of the field to give trainer Nicky Henderson a truly memorable victory. Jockey Barry Geraghty brought home the newly crowned Gold Cup winner with room to spare, in front of Sir Des Champs in 2nd and Long Run in Third.

Speaking to the BBC after the race, Geraghty enthused:

“It was brilliant. He’s such a great little horse, who loves the Job. We had faith in the horse. Nicky Henderson knew he would have him fit enough – he knows how to get them ready for Cheltenham”.

The going was soft and good-to-soft in places and coming to the 2nd fence from home, it wasn’t clear who was going to take the prize, as Sir Des Champs, ridden by Champion jockey A P McCoy, and amateur Sam Waley-Cohen on 2011 Gold Cup winner, Long Run were neck and neck, with Geraghty tucked in behind.

It was Bobs Worth though, one of 9 who started the race, who rallied and hit the front after the last fence and struck for home, leaving the others behind for a win that brought up a 50th Festival win for Lambourn trainer, Henderson.

A beaming Nicky Henderson recalled:

“It has been a long old week. Both boys gave them great rides and both horses were brave to the line. It is a dream, isn’t it? Barry Geraghty gave that a lovely pace. He is such an honest horse. He always gallops up the hill”.
Despite riding the winner of the Albert Bartlett Hurdle, the race directly before the Gold Cup on At Fishers Cross, McCoy was downbeat after coming in 2nd:

“It’s hard to be happy on a day like today”.

McCoy, a late draft in for Sir Des Champs, a Willie Mullins trained mount, looked to be in pole position as he jockeyed for position in a real pro versus amateur tussle against Waley-Cohen. Neither however, would prove to be the winner, as Bobs Worth charged up hill, passing them both.

“A New Era for Steeplechasing”

Nicky Henderson went on to extol the virtues of current and burgeoning steeplechasing talent:

“The Gold Cup has engendered a real feeling of a new era for steeplechasing. There is masses of talented youth at the top of the tree, perhaps yet to reach their peak. The first two home, Bobs Worth and Sir Des Champs, are the most significant, having been the top novice chasers at the 2012 Festival, and now they have neatly progressed”.

It was Bobs Worth who ultimately won out though, to delight owners “The Not Afraid Partnership” and breeder, Mrs L Eadie and take the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup and the £313,225 in prize money.