Gaelic Warrior stormed to Gold Cup glory at the Cheltenham Festival, but the race was somewhat overshadowed as Envoi Allen collapsed and died after crossing the finish line.
A sole runner for Willie Mullins in the most prestigious race on the National Hunt calendar, Gaelic Warrior the 11/4 joint-favourite was ridden by Paul Towend and shared his position at the head of the market with Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie.
Rebecca Curtis’ Haiti Couleurs took up the running for Wales but faded turning for home, while Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man travelled well for a long way and might have had his owner dreaming before he too faded, as Gaelic Warrior swept ahead to win by eight lengths from Jango Baie.
Inothewayurthinkin ran a big race in third in his attempt to defend this crown.
More to follow…
Dinoblue defends Mares’ Chase crown in style
Dinoblue defended her Mares’ Chase crown in style on Friday
Dinoblue again showed her toughness and reliability with a successful defence of her Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase crown.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Marsh Walsh for owner JP McManus, the chestnut was sent off the 11/8 favourite in the same race she won by eight-and-a-half lengths last year.
In the end victory was assured from some way out, with Dinoblue brushing aside the runner-up, Gavin Cromwell’s Only By Night, with ease up the hill to cross the line a length and a quarter ahead. Panic Attack was third for Dan Skelton.
Apolon lands 50/1 shock in Triumph
Apolon De Charnie (50/1) wins the Triumph Hurdle under Patrick Mullins
Apolon De Charnie shocked the Cheltenham crowd with a 50/1 victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son Patrick, the four-year-old was aiming to keep the trophy in the Closutton stable after Poniros struck at 100/1 on what was his hurdling debut 12 months ago.
Though not quite as overlooked in the betting, the Edward Ware-owned gelding was still a surprise first head across the line, with 5/1 chance Maestro Conti behind him and Minella Study (7/1) in third.
Wilful wows for O’Neill team in County
Jonjo O’Neill Jr celebrates after Wilful’s win in the County Hurdle
British-trained runners filled the first five places as Wilful came come in front in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by Jonjo and AJ O’Neill and ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr, the 14/1 victory was therefore a real family affair with the father and two sons combining.
In a busy field of 23, the seven-year-old led home Sticktotheplan, Joyeuse, Cracking Rhapsody and Sinnatra – all of whom are trained in Britain – to give the Jackdaws Castle stable a second winner of the week, after Johnnywho in the Ultima Handicap on Tuesday.
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