Friday the 17th March 2005 marked the 77th running of the wonder that is the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase and Prestbury Park was awash with a throng of excited punters. The going was good, there were 15 in the field and after the unfortunate withdrawal of hot favourite Best Mate due to a burst blood vessel, it was all to play for.
Would there be an Irish-trained winner of the Gold Cup for the first time in a almost a decade? One thing was for sure, it would be exciting finding out.
The Early Running
After the customary early jostling for position, it was Graham Lee’s mount, the fancied Grey Abbey that made all the running around the first circuit with 12-1 shot Ballycassidy ridden by Seamus Durack and Sir Rembrandt in close attendance.
Heading round the second lap, Andrew Thornton on Sir Rembrandt joined the Grey at the head of the race, as they both stretched the field. That scenario remained constant until the last 4 fences, when the leading two were caught by the great Irish hope, Kicking King who cruised into second with Barry Geraghty looking determined to snatch victory.
The Final Fences
4 out and the Tom Taaffe trained 4-1 favourite moved effortlessly into second before hitting the front at the third fence from home. He was momentarily challenged for the lead by Tony Dobbin on Take the Stand, but the 7 year old had too much in the tank and pace to burn, striding away to win by five lengths.
Ireland had a winner at long last, with the Cheltenham crowd euphoric cries echoing around the racecourse.
Speaking after the race, owner Conor Clarkson revealed how the victor almost didn’t make the race at all:
“Two weeks ago, I thought we were out and I felt so lucky just to be here. When we thought he was out of the race, we were shattered”.
There had been concerns in the lead up to the race that the horse would have to withdraw due to illness, but he recovered just in time. And how lucky they were that he did, as he romped over the line to claim the £212,268.40 winner’s prize money and Gold Cup Champion 2005.
Trainer Tom Taaffe’s father was the jockey that rode the amazing Arkle to three successive gold cup victories in the 60s, but this time it was his son’s time to celebrate into the night.
Ireland had their winner and the punters went home happy, after witnessing a thrilling Totesport sponsored Cheltenham Gold Cup!
