Cheltenham Gold Cup

The 2018 renewal of the Cheltenham Gold Cup was billed as a duel between Might Bite, who was sent off 4/1 favourite after winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, and Native River at 5/1. For once, the anticipated head-to-head materialised, with two of the market leaders dominating proceedings from flag-fall and their rivals unable to land a telling blow.

Native River, ridden by Richard Johnson, made virtually all the running, but was closely attended by Might Bite, ridden by Nico De Boinville, for most of the extended three-and-a-quarter mile journey. Indeed, Might Bite even took a narrow advantage between the last two fences, but was soon rejoined by Native River, who ultimately outstayed his rival in the closing stages to win by 4½ lengths. Might Bite finished clear second, 4 lengths ahead of third-placed Anibale Fly, who finished well, but never really threatened the front pair.

Our Duke, who was supported into 9/2 second favourite at the ‘off’, was never travelling after a couple of mid-race mistakes and was eventually pulled up at the fourth last. Of the other ‘fancied’ horses, Road To Respect finished fourth, beaten 12½ lengths, Definitly Red finished sixth, beaten 38½ lengths, and Killultagh Vic was tailed off when pulled up between the last two fences.

Native River, who had finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2017, after winning the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, was a first winner of the ‘Blue Riband’ event for Somerset dairy farmer-turned-trainer Colin Tizzard and a second for Richard Johnson, after Looks Like Trouble 18 years previously. Reflecting on his triumph, Tizzard said, “It’s unreal. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is everything in everyone’s life and there’s no pretending it’s not.” He added, “I can’t believe it. It doesn’t get better, does it?”

The Jessica Harrington trained 7-1 shot, ridden by Robbie Power, powered home to claim the 2017 Timico sponsored Cheltenham Gold Cup in exhilarating fashion as Sizing John held on under pressure from Native River ridden by Noel Fehily and 3-1 favourite Djakadam partnered by Ruby Walsh. It was between these three, until Jonjo O’Neill trained Minella Rocco got up to snatch runner’s up spot at the death.

Double Gold Cup Winner

This wasn’t the first time that Sizing John had tasted Gold Cup success, taking the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown back in February.

Fallers

During this frenetic race, there were two notable fallers, as Lizzie Kelly, the first woman in over 3 decades to compete in the race fell at the 2nd fence on Tea for Two and the fancied 11 year old Cue Card fell at the 3rd from home, for the second year in succession.

First Harrington Gold Cup Win

Sizing John romping first across the line represented not least the the first Cheltenham Gold Cup entry for Jessica Harrington, but also her first major prize since moving to her own yard from Henry de Bromhead’s earlier in the year.

However, Harrington is no stranger to success, as the most successful female trainer in Cheltenham Festival history, she had previously enjoyed a double Queen Mother Champion Chase and Champion Hurdle success.

Harrington was suitably buoyant after the race:

“It’s amazing – he has gone from running two miles at Christmas to three miles here”

With Jockey, Robbie Power adding:

“He jumped like a buck and it was his jumping that got him there. I never seemed to have any stayers before for this race – I can’t believe it.”

Power also had a few kind words to say about his trainer:

“It’s unbelievable. Jessica Harrington is a genius.”

Out of a total of 13 starters, 10 successfully made it round the course and it was another Gold Cup win for an Irish horse. Those from the Emerald Isle will have gone home happy knowing it was one of their own that scooped the title and the £327k prize money.

Jockey Robbie Power summed up his elation perfectly:

“I was only 25 when I won the National and I’m 35 now. When you’re 25 you think you can win everything, so this is very special. Down to the last he absolutely pinged it and then it was just a case of seeing it out. It’s what every jockey dreams of and I never thought I would until we got this lad”.

Power stated he was off for a few celebratory drinks afterwards. Nobody would blame him after this amazing triumph.

The pre-race 9-4 favourite, Don Cossack, ridden by Bryan Cooper and owned by W B Connors sprinted away at the last fence, to leave Djakadam 4½ lengths behind in the runner’s up spot for the second year running. Davy Russell, who steered Lord Windermere to 2004 Gold Cup victory came in a distant third on Don Poli, a full 10 lengths behind 2nd place.

 

The horse was part of a clean sweep for Ireland, as the first 4 across the were trained by Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins and John Kiely respectively.

 

2007 Grand National Winner

This was a maiden Cheltenham Gold Cup for Gordon Elliott who trained the 2007 Grand National winner, Silver Birch

 

Tough Choice

Bryan Cooper, the 23 year old irish jockey from Kerry had a real quandary going into the race, as he had been set to ride 7 year old Don Poli, the mount he is retained to ride for the Gigginstown House Stud. He chose instead to ride 9 year old stablemate, Don Cossack, which it turned out, was a rather savvy move.

Speaking after the race, Cooper spoke affectionately about Gordon Elliott and late trainer Dessie Hughes, the trainer with whom he started his career:

“It was a hard decision to make, but there’s a man up there looking out for me, Dessie Hughes.
Fair play to Gordon, he stuck by me. I had the hardest decision and he had him right for today. He never missed a beat.“

Horse Fatalities to be Investigated

 

2016 had witnessed a wonderful Cheltenham Festival, but some of the sheen had been taken off it after the unfortunate demise of 7 horses across the 4 days of the meeting. Rezorbi, Pont Alexandre and Govaness had all died on the opening day and No More Heroes had been put to sleep after tendon damage on the Wednesday.

 

Thursday then saw Niceonefrankie perish after a fall in the Stable Plate Race, with Friday seeing Montdragon and Long Dog passing away on the final day of the festival.

 

These fatalities are being looked into by the British HorseRacing Authority, attempting everything they can to avoid a repeat next year.

 

Chief BHA veterinary officer, Jenny Hall spoke on the subject:

 

“We will work with Cheltenham to assess all of the incidents that took place this week. We have a good relationship with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare, and, as always, we will work with them to ensure we continue we do all we can to make racing as safe as possible.”

 

All things considered, it had been a great festival and another wonderful, unpredictable Timico Gold Cup chase. A great festival for the irish for sure and in particular Don Cossack, Bryan Cooper and trainer Gordon Elliott.

Leading right from the off, Nico de Boinville stretched the field and held off a spirited challenge from Ruby Walsh on Djakadam and Bryan Cooper on Road to Riches. The 7-1 shot looked to have missed his chance racing for the line, but experienced counted for nothing as Coneygree found a second win to hold on for a famous win.

Speaking after the race, De Boinville expressed his delight:

“It’s unbelievable. Words can’t describe it. He dug deep, but I always knew he had enough left”.

The 8 year old gelding, trained by Mark Bradstock had become the first novice steeplechaser to win the Cheltenham Festival’s blue riband event for over 40 years. Not since Captain Christy had this happened, which was made even more remarkable, due to the fact that Coneygree had not won over fences before the start of the 2015 season.

Soft Ground, a Key Factor

Delighted trainer, Bradstock revealed that if the ground hadn’t been as soft as it was, then he might not even have attempted to race. Fortunately for the novice, there had been overnight rain, making it possible for Coneygree to thrive in only his fourth race over fences.

“It was very dependent on the ground” added Bradstock “If we hadn’t had the rain, he could easily have been a non-runner”.

Retirement of A Great

Tony McCoy was vying to retire with a bang, but the 19 time champion jockey was unable to stay in touch with the leaders as the sprint for the line gathered pace, finishing in 7th on the 14-1 shot Carlingford Lough.

McCoy was full of praise for the novice winner:

“It was an unbelievable performance from a novice chaser. He got them at it early and stuck at it well”.

Small Operation

All the more remarkable was that Coneygree was trained by Bradstock at a small Oxfordshire stable with only around 10 horses.

He continued:

“I’m numb. It’s wonderful. It won’t sink in for a while, but it’s great. We’ve done it before in smaller races and we’ll still keep doing it, but it’s fantastic to do it on the big stage”.

Another thrilling Cheltenham Gold Cup chase and the £313k prize money had gone to a very worthy winner.

A big result for Bradstock and owners The Max Partnership for sure, but it was also a big result for national hunt racing as whole. A sport that prides itself on its amateur roots had seen a very popular result this year, with a horse winning against much more well-funded stables threatening to dominate the sport.

Coneygree, with his modest roots had restored faith in the long term future of national hunt racing and thrilled the prestbury crowd in the process.