Cheltenham Gold Cup

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.

The 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup was another in a long line of special races, pitting past champions against up and coming stars. This year’s stars included 2 time winner Kauto Star, again partnered by Ruby Walsh and 2011 champion and 7-4 favourite, Long Run.

Early Running

Habitual front runner, Midnight Chase, ridden by Dougie Costello, led the field for the first circuit of Prestbury Park in exactly the same fashion as he had in the 2011 Gold Cup. Kauto Star, 3-1 2nd favourite, made heavy running of the early stages, a fact that was clearly concerning Ruby Walsh and which eventually led him to pull the gelding up at the 10th fence, ending his race.

What a friend, part owned by Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson and ridden by Daryl Jacob had been the first casualty of the race, falling at the 2nd fence.

2nd Circuit

After the initial jostling, the field settled with a clear group of 7 horses vying for the title. At this stage, it could have been any of them. The lead was shared between Midnight Chase and the Irish horse, Time for Rupert, ridden by Paul Webber, with Synchronised at the back of the pack, but still within striking distance.

Over the Last Fence

Giant Bolster, the 50-1 outsider took the lead over the last and was looking well placed for a shock Gold Cup win until Synchronised rallied strongly to take the title by 2 and a quarter lengths.

The Cheltenham crowd had a new champion to cheer and the dream pairing of AP McCoy and trainer Jonjo O’neill were celebrating a famous win ahead of Tom Scudamore on Giant Bolster and last year’s winner, Long Run.

O’Neill added:

“He’s an amazing horse and it was an amazing performance. He’s really delivered. He flowered in the last few days and it was spot-on timing. It’s fantastic to win it as a trainer”.

The race marked Tony McCoy’s 2nd Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph and unfortunately, the last time Kauto Star would grace Prestbury Park, as owner Clive Smith admitted that it was “90% certain” that the amazing gelding would be retired.

Another great Cheltenham Festival had had a fitting end with a thrilling finale and another great Irish winner.

 

Robert Waley-Cohen’s King George VI chase winning gelding, Long Run, was the 7-2 favourite heading into the 83rd running of this famous face. The horse and his jockey, Robert’s son, Sam Waley-Cohen managed to lived up to this billing in style, beating a stellar field by 7 lengths.

Tough Competition

A field of 13 that contained no fewer than three previous Gold Cup winners stood waiting for the off with the always-feverish Prestbury Park baying for the action to start.

And They’re Off

From the off, it was 9-1 shot Midnight Chase ridden by Tom Scudamore that made the pace with the assembled field all vying for position in behind. Midnight Chase led for the whole of the first circuit as the mounts of Ruby Walsh, Paddy Brennan and Sam Thomas, back riding Denman again, all jostled for the best position from which to strike.

Final Stages

Even as late as the 3rd fence from home, all of the major threats were still in with a shout of winning the race, as 2010 winner Imperial Commander, Ruby Walsh on double-winner 5-1, 3rd favourite Kauto Star and stablemate Denman, the 2008 winner were all neck and neck.

Heading to the last, fierce rivals Denman and Kauto Star threatened to turn it into a 2 horse race for the line, but Sam Waley-Cohen on Long Run was having none of it. Jumping the last fence the better of the three contenders, the way was clear for Robert Waley-Cohen’s young horse to take the £270k prize.

A Brace of Records

In claiming the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup, two new records were set. The first was being the youngest gelding to win the prestigious race since Mill House in 1963 and the second was Sam Waley-Cohen becoming the first amateur jockey to become Gold Cup champion since Jim Wilson on Little Owl in 1981.

Jockey Waley-Cohen was ecstatic in the winners’ enclosure:

“That’s a very special feeling and he’s a very special horse. He’s a whole lot better than I thought he was. I want to say thank you to everyone for believing in me and the horse.”

Champion Trainer

It was also a momentous day for the winning trainer, Nicky Henderson, who enjoyed his first Gold Cup win and his 39th festival success in total, making him the all-time leading trainer at the meeting.

Friday March 18, 2011 had witnessed one of the most exciting Cheltenham Gold Cup chases in history and it was won in style by the 7-2 favourite, much to the joy of trainer, owner, jockey and the huge 65,000 Cheltenham crowd.

It would be remembered for some years to come.