Gaelic Warrior received the Cheltenham Gold Cup in supreme vogue as Harry Redknapp-owned Jukebox Man completed eighth.
Gaelic Warrior, educated by Willie Mullins, went off because the 11-4 joint favorite alongside Jango Baie, however outclassed the sector after making the flip for dwelling.
Jockey Paul Townend barely needed to transfer on the spectacular winner, who crossed the end line eight lengths away from Jango Baie.
The 2025 Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin completed strongly to come back third on this 12 months’s version, having been priced at 8-1.
Mullins was stuffed with reward for proprietor Wealthy Ricci, who grew to become the primary proprietor to win the Champion Hurdle – with Lossiemouth on Tuesday – and Gold Cup in the identical 12 months.
The coach advised ITV: “What a efficiency and what a efficiency from the proprietor.
“The primary time an proprietor has received the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup in the identical season.
“Paul Townend, how cool was he over the past two fences?
“I do not understand how he was so cool over these final two fences. The dominance of Gaelic Warrior in opposition to an excellent subject on paper – implausible for all of them.”
Successful jockey Townend mentioned after the race he was “lucky” to be driving Gaelic Warrior, having been attributable to experience two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs earlier than his withdrawal.
“It is the Gold Cup. They simply get higher and higher. I’m speechless,” Townend mentioned.
“Patrick [Mullins] was satisfied [Gaelic Warrior] was the horse for the race.
“Arduous luck on him, however he did a number of work with this horse. It is a massive group effort. I used to be simply lucky to be on the again of him at present.
“I received the place I needed. I did not ever envision going thus far forward, however I wasn’t going to sluggish him down third from the final.”
Ricci mentioned he had “reached the mountain” having needed to win the Gold Cup for 21 years.
In the meantime, Envoi Allen – a three-time Cheltenham Competition winner – died after falling unwell following Friday’s characteristic race.
