Cheltenham Gold Cup LIVE RESULTS as Galopin Des Champs caps off sensational week for Willie Mullins

Mirror

15 March 2024

Cheltenham Gold Cup LIVE RESULTS as Galopin Des Champs caps off sensational week for Willie Mullins

That's your lot

Cheltenham Festival is done and dusted.

It was a good one for Willie Mullins, who dominated from start to finish and won the Gold Cup earlier today with Galopin Des Champs.

Thanks for following along.

Full results from Friday's races

13:30: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) - MAJBOROUGH

14:10: BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) - ABSURDE

14:50: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - STELLAR STORY

15:30: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase - GALOPIN DES CHAMPS

16:10: St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase - SINE NOMINE

16:50: Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase - LIMERICK LACE

17:30: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle - BETTER DAYS AHEAD

Better Days Ahead wins

Better Days Ahead takes the final race of the day, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle!

1 Better Days Ahead (D J Gilligan) 5-1

2 Waterford Whispers (M P O'Connor) 10-3 Fav

3 Quai De Bourbon (M J M O'Sullivan) 4-1

4 Answer To Kayf (J P Shinnick) 10-1

Final race of the day underway

After some difficulties at the start line, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle has begun.

5.30 tips and insight

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 SONIGINO, 2 QUAI DE BOURBON, 3 WHAT’S UP DARLING

SONIGINO is capable of rewarding each-way bets - at the very least - in the meeting’s finale.

To come home in front under rising star Freddie Gingell, the Paul Nicholls-saddled seven-year-old must leave behind a lacklustre ninth to Jay Jay Reilly in Kempton Park’s Lanzarote Hurdle in mid-January. But there are several reasons for thinking he can do just that.

An unlucky-in-running third at Aintree’s Grand National fixture in April, my selection built on a return-to-the-fray bronze medal at Chepstow in October to run fourth to Iberico Lord in the two-mile Greatwood Handicap Hurdle here the following month.

Sonigino built on that for a six-length score from Prince Zaltar back over an additional half mile at Aintree in November and, if one forgives his Kempton no-show, he’s a player here.

At the end of a momentous week for Willie Mullins, Quai De Bourbon is sure to have his supporters, while What’s Up Darling, Waterford Whispers and Answer To Kayf are three more names to throw into the melting pot.

bet365 odds for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

There's one last race for you today, and it's the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

Waterford Whispers is the 3/1 favourite with, while you can get 9/2 on Quai De Bourbon and 7/1 on Better Days Ahead.

Limerick Lace wins the Mares' Chase

Limerick Lace takes it!

Winning trainer Gavin Cromwell, speaking to Racing TV: "She showed a bit of heart. I'm delighted for Keith [Donoghue], who is a big part of team. He gave her a lovely ride, turned it into a good test.

"She stayed going well, she was genuine and in front from a long way out. She showed guts and determination."

1 Limerick Lace (K M Donoghue) 3-1

2 Dinoblue (M P Walsh) 15-8 Fav

3 Marsh Wren (C Gethings) 28-1

Mares' Chase underway

The Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase is underway. It is the penultimate race of the Cheltenham Festival.

4.50 tips and insight

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 LIMERICK LACE, 2 DINOBLUE, 3 ALLEGORIE DE VASSY

LIMERICK LACE is an improved performer in her second season over fences - and could have this race sewn up.
There was plenty of encouragement to be gleaned from the daughter of Walk In The Park’s novice campaign, which included victories at Down Royal and Naas at the start of last year.

And Gavin Cromwell’s seven-year-old has duly built on that, beginning with a 16-length supremacy in a mares’ chase at Clonmel in October.

On the strength of that performance, punters made Limerick Lace the 4-1 favourite for the ultra-competitive Troytown Handicap Chase over three miles at Navan in November and my selection emerged with plenty of credit with a second to Coko Beach.

Back against her own gender in a Listed chase over this afternoon’s two-and-a-half-mile trip at Doncaster two days before the turn of the year, Limerick Lace returned to winning form with a 10-length slamming of La Renommee, and another step forward will put Keith Donoghue’s mount in the firing line today. Willie Mullins’ pair Dinoblue and Allegorie De Vassy are feared most, ahead of the progressive Brides Hill.

bet365 odds for the Mares' Steeple Chase

The penultimate race of the day is the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Steeple Chase.

Dinoblue is the favourite with bet365 at 7/4, closely followed by Limerick Lace at 2/1 and Allegorie De Vassy at 7/2.

Sine Nomine wins the Hunters' Chase

What a finish!

Ferns Lock faded with two fences to go and dropped way back, but there was a dramatic sprint finish between three horses before Sine Nomine came through to pip It's On The Line in second and Time Leader in third. The 8-1 outsider pipped the 11-8 favourite.

Winning jockey John Dawson, speaking to ITV Sport: "Just a phenomenal buzz. She's a lovely mare. She's come through and progressed all the time. We all believe in her. We're chuffed."

Ferns Lock leads

Ferns Lock is leading the pack after struggling to settle down for the start. Still 13 fences to go though.

Hunters' Chase

Right, the Gold Cup is done. Next up: St James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase.

It has just got underway.

Full Gold Cup report

Want the full lowdown on Galopin Des Champs' wonderful win in the Gold Cup?

Owner Audrey Turley hails "fantastic" Galopin Des Champas

Galopin Des Champs' owner Audrey Turley has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live

"He is a fantastic horse," says Turley, who then goes on to join her family for the celebrations and trophy presentation.

"It isn't easy to win back to back Gold Cups.

"We couldn't be more thrilled and to do it on the 100th anniversary of the Gold Cup - what a moment."

bet365 odds for the Hunters' Chase

Next up is the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase, with Its On the Line the 11-8 favourite with bet365.

Second-favourite is Ferns Lock at 10-3, followed by Billaway at 7-1.

The moment of glory

That's two in a row for Galopin Des Champs.

Another accomplished win.

4.10 tips and insight

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 FERNS LOCK, 2 ITS ON THE LINE, 3 SINE NOMINE

FERNS LOCK has an excellent chance of giving trainer David Christie a first Cheltenham triumph.

Co Fermanagh-based Christie is a high achiever in the point-to-point and hunter chase world but has yet to taste victory at the home of jump racing - until now.

Three-time pointing winner Ferns Lock began his career in hunter chases with successes at Fairyhouse, Gowran Park and Thurles before making a costly error two out back in Co Meath saw him lose his unbeaten record with a third to Willie Mullins’ Annamix.

After a return-to-action score in a Dromahane point-to-point was followed by a half-length second to Its On The Line in a Down Royal hunter chase, and Ferns Lock hardly came out of second gear in a similar event at Thurles in January to set himself up for today.

There is a lot more to come from this seven-year-old, who can gain his revenge on the 2023 runner-up when it matters most. Premier Magic and Billaway, the last two winners of the amateurs’ Gold Cup, warrant a second look, along with Sine Nomine.

A reminder of the Gold Cup result

1st - Galopin Des Champs 10-11 FAV

2nd - Gerri Colombe 13-2

3rd - Corach Rambler 14-1

Paul Townend reflects on the win

"Unvelievable," is Paul Townend's reaction. "He was just so brave for me."

When asked what makes him a champion, "His heart, probably."

Galopin Des Champs wins the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

Was there ever any doubt?

Galopin Des Champs was the hot favourite, and produced a patient race before moving clear in the final stages.

There might have been worries for jockey Paul Townend when a loose horse threatened to get in the way, but the reigning champion won again on the 100th birthday of the race.