Fugitif ends Richard Hobson's eight-year wait for a Cheltenham win in December Gold Cup
The £130,000 Virgin Bet December Gold Cup was the feature race at Cheltenham on Saturday, where there were wins for horses trained by 28-year-old Jack Jones, Nicky Henderson and Dan Skelton
Fugitif's dramatic late lunge in the Virgin Bet December Gold Cup ended his trainer's eight-year wait for a Cheltenham winner.
Richard Hobson's chaser twice missed the target in big handicaps last season - and Shantou Flyer was pipped at the 2018 Festival. But 13-2 chance Fugitif finally gave his handler a golden ticket to the winners' enclosure, after 11 seconds from 43 runners.
Galvanised by Gavin Sheehan, the eight-year-old flew up the hill to attack long-time leader Il Ridoto. The Bryony Frost-ridden runner-up rallied bravely to force a photo finish - and Hobson was relieved to be on the right side of it by a short-head.
"Eight years ago (today) we had our first two runners here and they were both placed," said the boss of a 14-horse stable just 20 miles from the course.
"I thought it was going to be a near miss once again. The last 100 yards was stressful, but we got there."
The result was another winter warmer for jockey Gavin Sheehan, two weeks on from a headline result in Newbury's Coral Gold Cup. His late charge had been delayed by So Scottish's fall at the fourth last obstacle, an incident which hampered Fugitif.
As Sean Bowen called it a day on favourite Thunder Rock, Frost kicked on from eventual third Frero Banbou. Fugitif rallied to collar the Festival's first Grade 1-winning female rider and Il Ridoto right on the line.
"I thought the race was over and we would be picking up the pieces," said Sheehan, who celebrated his 700th career success last month. "I was too far back, we needed some luck. No matter what ride you give him, he does his best for you."
Nicholls, who combined with Frost to win the 2018 running with Frodon, said: "It was a brilliant round of jumping from Il Ridoto and he's run very well."
Jack Jones, one of the UK's youngest trainers, opened his Cheltenham account with An Bradan Feasa.
The 5-4 favourite was in control when Kourosh's late fall left him clear in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.
"I’ve been coming here for as long as I can remember," said Newmarket-based Jones. "For him to do it like that I’m speechless."
