After three days of exhilarating action, Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup day is finally here. The crescendo of race week at 3:30 provides the best chasers with the ultimate test of class, stamina and jumping.
Run over three miles and two furlongs and featuring 22 fences, the Gold Cup has produced some of the sport’s greatest moments, including Dawn Run’s win in 1984 and Denman and Kauto Star’s duopoly in the late 2000s.
Day three of the races proved to be an afternoon for the outsiders, with heavy favourites Mighty Potter and Shishkin both failing to deliver for punters. Mighty Potter immediately let down punters with a third-place finish in the opening race of the day as Stage Star stole the show to romp to victory after leading from the start. Shishkin was then beaten to the punch by Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase after several jumping mistakes throughout the race.
TODAY’S RESULTS:
4:10 – St James’ Place Festival Hunters Chase – Winner: Premier Magic
In the final race covered by Parklife Sport at the Festival, it was Premier Magic at 66/1 who snatched victory for the highest priced win of the Festival yet in a chaotic finish.
Several riders fell throughout the race including second favourite Billaway at 6/1 who fell with 13 fences to go. Down the stretch it appeared that favourite Vaucelet was primed for a final kick but it never came, and with loose horses surrounding him it was jockey Bradley Gibbs who romped home.
It’s On The Line at 28/1 finished second, with 50/1 Shantou Flyer completing the top three.
'One of the craziest finishes I've ever seen'
Premier Magic holds on to win the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/KN4Fx7Q49O
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 17, 2023
3:30 – Gold Cup – Winner: Gallopin Des Champs
At the climax of raceweek, it was favourite Gallopin Des Champs who claimed Gold Cup glory in spectacular fashion, seeing off pressure from 6/1 Bravemansgame at the final hurdle. It’s that golden combination of jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins once again for a third Gold Cup victory.
But there was drama before the final stretch as when Ahoy Senor fell at the sixth fence and subsequently ending A Plus Tard’s Gold Cup defence.
Outsider Conflated at 22/1 finished third after Hewick fell at the last.
🏆 Galopin Des Champs wins the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup! 🏆
😁 @CheltenhamRaces redemption!#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/89qqOTJjhE
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 17, 2023
2:50 – Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle – Winner: Stay Away Fay
It’s another winner for the Paul Nicholls team as 18/1 Stay Away Fay shows plenty of heart take the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
There was huge drama at the last as favourite Corbetts Cross crashed through the wing. Jockey Mark Walsh was fortunately up on his feet after the collision with the hurdle barrier.
150/1 outsider Affordable Fury ran a huge race in second, ahead of Sandor Clegane at 28/1.
👍 Good to see Mark Walsh is up on his feet aboard a dramatic departure from Corbetts Cross at the last#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/DbS8GlWHKy
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 17, 2023
2:10 – McCoy Contractors’ County Hurdle – Winner: Faivoir
An incredibly tight race sees 33/1 outsider Faivoir just edge 12/1 Piped Piper in an epic head-to-head, as reserve jockey Bridget Andrews claims a rare victory.
It was all to play for going into the final hurdle in tightly packed race, but Faivoir and Piped Piper broke clear after the jump and became a straight shootout, with the Dan Skelton trained horse claiming a narrow victory.
6/1 Filey Bay took third and Sharjah at 10/1 took fourth.
13:30: Triumph Hurdle – Winner: Lossiemouth
It was heavy favourite Lossiemouth who proved to be a class above the rest as jockey Paul Townend cruised to victory, much to the delight of trainer Willie Mullins.
The winner led from a good way out and always looked to have plenty in hand to cruise to victory by a several lengths.
Gala Marceau at 7/2 managed to pip the 9/1 Zenta for second place to secure a Willie Mullins one, two, three, while second favourite Blood Destiny was never in the frame.
TODAY’S RACES:
4:50 Mares Chase
Allegorie De Vassy 13/8
Impervious 7/4
Jeremys Flame 7/1
Magic Daze 8/1
Riviere Detel 20/1
Pink Legend, Zambella 22/1
Elimay 25/1
Dolcita 50/1
5:30 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
Cool Survivor, Spanish Harlem 9/2
Imagine 11/2
Iroko 13/2
Might I 8/1
Irish Hill 9/1
No Ordinary Joe 12/1
Molly Ollys Wishes 16/1
Firm Footings 18/1
Haxo, Spirit Of Legend 20/1
