Blazing Khal possible for Aintree or Punchestown

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Blazing Khal could get the chance to bounce back at either Aintree or Punchestown having seen his winning run come to an end at the Cheltenham Festival.

Charles Byrnes’ seven-year-old headed to the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle unbeaten in five and with a glistening CV having scored twice at the track and impressed in the Boyne Hurdle when tuning up for Festival action.

Despite a cut suffered in that Navan victory causing its problems in the build up to his Prestbury Park assignment, Blazing Khal was still a popular choice with punters and was sent off the 9-2 second-favourite for the feature race on day three.

Attempting to follow in the footsteps of Solwhit, who triumphed for Byrnes in the 2013 edition, Blazing Khal was well positioned jumping the second-last and was travelling smoothly for the handler’s son Philip alongside Teahupoo as the field rounded the turn for home.

But whereas Gordon Elliott’s 9-4 favourite would go one to play a significant hand in the finish, Blazing Khal came under pressure approaching the last and then faded up the hill to finish sixth, beaten just over 11 lengths.

He is now set for an easy few weeks to get over his Cheltenham exertions before connections plot their next move – with Byrnes favouring the easier three miles of the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle Hurdle on Grand National Day (April 15) over the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival (April 27).

“He’s OK. He just didn’t seem to stay up the hill, he got very tired from the last till home,” said Byrnes.

“We’ll give him the chance to get over that for a couple of weeks and then make a plan.

“He’s got two options – he can go to Aintree or he can go to Punchestown. I’m probably favouring Aintree because it is the easier three miles, but we will see in a few weeks.”

Despite winning twice at Cheltenham previously, Blazing Khal disappointed in the Stayers' Hurdle (
Despite winning twice at Cheltenham previously, Blazing Khal disappointed in the Stayers’ Hurdle (Zac Goodwin/PA)

When asked if the interrupted preparations had a baring on Blazing Khal’s performance, Byrnes added: “I’d say it definitely played it’s part, but he just didn’t seem to stay the distance.

“It definitely didn’t help, but that being said he was well beaten and I don’t want to make too many excuses.

“We’ll freshen him up now and try and get another good run out of him.”

National tilt off the agenda now for Hewick after Cheltenham fall

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Hewick will not run in the Randox Grand National after his crashing fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon has revealed.

The popular eight-year-old, who shot to prominence when taking the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April, was running a storming race in racing’s blue riband and enjoying himself towards the head of the field under Jordan Gainford.

In the process of belying his odds of 40-1 with a tremendous performance, the Galway Plate and American Grand National winner unfortunately came to grief two out.

“We are very proud of the horse and thanks be to God he’s OK. He was going so well,” said Hanlon.

“He always hits a flat spot and he was just after coming out of it, and Jordan was very convinced that, while he might not have beaten the winner, he said, ‘I thought we might have been second’.”

With ground conditions softer than ideal, Hanlon was in two minds about running him against Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame.

He added: “If only the ground was better. He needs good ground and the ground would have been too soft for him, but he gave a goodish account of himself.

“I’d say the ground hasn’t been as soft for seven or eight years on the Friday.

“It was a tough decision to run. We walked the track twice – once at seven o’clock in the morning and again at 11 o’clock – and it was amazing how much it dried out between seven and eleven.

“He’d handle good ground. But in our country it would have been yielding to soft. It was tacky ground.”

Hewick will be given time to overcome his exertions and while Aintree is almost certainly off the agenda, Hanlon has not ruled out bringing him back for a defence of his bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown or the Punchestown Gold Cup.

He said: “He’s good now, thanks be to God. We are happy to have him home because he got an awful fall.

“He won’t go to the National. I would be 99 per cent sure. We’ll see how he is, but he has had such a fall. We’ll probably end up going back to Punchestown for the Gold Cup.

“He’ll have better ground and it’s six weeks from now.”

Hewick, who was purchased for a mere £800, loved the quicker conditions when taking the valuable prize at Sandown’s traditional end-of-season finale last year.

Jockey Jordan Gainford and Shark Hanlon could head back to Sandown
Jockey Jordan Gainford (left) and Shark Hanlon (second left) could head back to Sandown (Nigel French/PA)

While the extended three-mile Grade One Punchestown Gold Cup may be the preferred option, a return to Sandown has not ben ruled out for the gelding who has earned just shy of £400,000 for owner TJ McDonald.

“I wouldn’t mind going back to the bet365 Gold Cup. I will talk to the owners and see,” added Hanlon. “He’ll either go for the (Punchestown) Gold Cup or the bet365 – he’ll go one way or the other.”

The Cheltenham Gold Cup was Hewick’s first run since taking the American National at Far Hills in October and the County Carlow handler felt that while he needed the break, he may navigate another path back to Prestbury Park next season.

Hanlon added: “We will go different next year. We will probably give him a run maybe at the Dublin Festival, because he hadn’t had a run for six months, which was a long time, but I’m not sorry we didn’t give him a run, because he needed his break.

“Listen, we are thrilled with him and everyone got a buzz out of it. He’s the people’s horse, but because of the fall, the National has gone.

“He lives to fight another day and we know we have a good horse. He’s entitled to be there at Cheltenham again next year to have another go.”

Harris looking to Aintree with Triumph absentee Scriptwriter

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Milton Harris will target Aintree with Scriptwriter after he failed to line up in the JCB Triumph Hurdle on Friday due to scoping dirty.

Scriptwriter contested Group races on the Flat for Aidan O’Brien and has become a decent hurdler. In the care of the Wilshire handler, he is one of the leading British juveniles.

Winner of Cheltenham’s Grade Two Triumph Hurdle Trial in November, the four-year-old reverted to the Flat to win at Wolverhampton on his next outing before returning to Cheltenham to find only Comfort Zone too good.

He carried a penalty for his Grade Two success when beaten favourite in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton and while not near his best, Harris had hoped he would bounce back in the Triumph.

Scriptwriter will now head to Aintree in a bid to emulate Knight Salute, who capped a remarkable juvenile season by landing the Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle at the Grand National meeting last year.

“Scriptwriter is fine,” said Harris. “He will now go to the Grade One at Aintree.

“It was just that the scope wasn’t clean, and it was not worth the trouble.

“It’s a pity as I was hopeful he’d run a nice race and show us the form we know he is capable of. We’ll be all right, don’t worry.”

Knight Salute, who was last seen finishing third in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November, is still battling to recover from a major injury after an operation the following month.

“He had to have a rotten tooth taken out under anaesthetic and he injured himself getting up after,” said Harris. “He’s obviously out for the season and we’ll do what’s best for him.

“It’s a huge shame, but it shows you how fragile these brilliant animals are.”

Snowden able to look back with pride on efforts of Cheltenham team

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Jamie Snowden had a surprisingly clear head the morning after You Wear It Well took the Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and is in no rush to make plans for the Grade Two winner.

Nine years on from the Lambourn trainer’s first Festival success with Present View, Gavin Sheehan’s mount was up there all the wa and held off Magical Zoe to score at odds of 16-1.

“She trotted out like a gazelle,” Snowden said. “She’s fantastic, still biting everyone.”

The six-year-old, who is owned by Sir Chips Keswick, could head to Fairyhouse for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final on April 9.

Snowden said: “We will see how she is before making a plan. She is obviously still in the Grade One at Fairyhouse over Easter. I put her in that a couple of weeks ago.

“That is still an option, but we’ll see how we go with her.”

He added: “We will certainly jump a fence with her before her summer holiday and see where we go next year.”

Meanwhile Ga Law, winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November before falling when looking the likely winner of Doncaster’s Sky Bet Chase in January, could still run in a Grand National, albeit the Scottish version.

The fast-improving seven-year-old stayed on to finish fifth to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase.

Ga Law could run in a Grand National after all - at Ayr
Ga Law could run in a Grand National after all – at Ayr (David Davies/PA)

“I thought it was a good run,” said Snowden. “Obviously we know he wants further than that trip, but we were caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

“The Gold Cup was a silly option and the Ryanair was too short, but I think he has run to the same level of form he did in the Sky Bet Chase, which was improved form on the Paddy Power.

“I thought it was a cracking run, especially on the back of a nasty fall.

“The long-term plan will be next year’s Grand National. He stays very well, he’s just not very quick. He was outpaced all the way in the Paddy Power and stayed on up the hill.

“He has possibly run a career-best over a trip that is too short, first time up in Grade One company, so he’s run a belter to finish fifth.”

“He’s not qualified for the Grand National next month, so that is a great shame, as that would have been great for him.

“There is obviously the option of going for the Betfair Bowl at Aintree. There is the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at Sandown, which we will consider, and there is half an eye on the Scottish National as well. We have got a couple of options.”

Snowden is also looking to the future with Colonel Harry, whose brave effort to make all the running in the bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso two weeks ago was scuppered when narrowly beaten by Nemean Lion.

The six-year-old had finished just behind Kerry Lee’s runner when fourth in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown and, having backed that up with victory at Newcastle, Snowden was content to see the the Grade One form hold fast.

Snowden is excited by the prospect of seeing Colonel Harry jumping fences next season
Snowden is excited by the prospect of seeing Colonel Harry jumping fences next season (Steven Paston/PA)

“It was a great run at Kelso, “ said Snowden. “That was over two miles two (furlongs). A lot of his pedigree is over two miles.

“I think he wants two miles on deep ground – I think that’s his ideal.

“It was a brave effort and it upheld the Tolworth form with Nemean Lion.

“He will be a lovely chaser for next season. We might have half a look at Aintree, depending on what the weather does, but he’s certainly one I’m looking forward to over a fence next year.”

Rhino on the charge at Southwell

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It would be no surprise if White Rhino delivered a knockout blow in the Download The Rhino.Bet App Handicap Hurdle at Southwell.

Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero’s seven-year-old has improved significantly for a step up in trip, winning his last two, and could prove still ahead of the handicapper despite a 15lb rise for a facile success at Wetherby last time.

Before that he registered a six-length success over track and trip and there is plenty to point to a bold hat-trick bid on his return to the Nottinghamshire venue.

Henry Oliver’s Coastguard Station could answer an SOS from punters earlier on the card in the Follow Us On Twitter @betrhino Handicap Chase.

A seven-length winner at Doncaster on his penultimate start, he bumped into the highly-progressive Haddex Des Obeaux when returning to Town Moor over the Christmas period.

With that rival now rated 146, Coastguard Station looks a more than tempting proposition here off 120 despite the burden of top weight.

This speedy circuit should suit and he could be still on the upgrade.

Ali Star Bert is another who could notch up a three-timer in the opening Daily Charged Up Offers At Rhino.Bet Handicap Chase, while Presenting Belle is of real interest in the Rhino.Bet Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Lucy Wadham’s six-year-old thrived following wind surgery at Huntingdon last time when chasing home a well-regarded winner.

Although no match for Blue Beach, the front two were a distance clear of the rest and a repeat of that form would make her tough to beat.

Ioupy Collonges can keep up his good run of form for Paul Nicholls in the Melanie And Philip Gibbs RNLI “Hands And Heels” Handicap Hurdle at Taunton.

A 60,000 guineas recruit after placing in two point to points, Ioupy Collonges has two wins in three starts to his credit, triumphing in bumper company at the first attempt before coming home a 10-length winner on his second hurdles start last month.

An hurdles introduction yielded a satisfactory second and it clearly stood him in good stead at Chepstow as he made all for a cosy win.

Libberty Hunter takes the eye in the Jackson-Stops Country House Handicap Hurdle.

He got off the mark over hurdles at Chepstow in January and Evan Williams has wasted no time in switching to handicap company, with his initial mark of 124 leaving him something to work with.

In the concluding Royal National Lifeboat Institution Open National Hunt Flat Race, Duhallow Tommy could have the class to concede weight to his rivals.

Placed behind the likes of Twinjets and Cheltenham Bumper third Captain Teague in his early outings under rules, he got off the mark at Fontwell in January.

The second did not let the form down when again a silver medallist next time and Duhallow Tommy appears to be getting better with each and every outing.

SELECTIONS:

NAVAN: 1.50 Fameaftertheglory, 2.20 Carbon King, 2.55 Landrake, 3.25 Velvet Elvis, 3.55 Slip Of The Tongue, 4.25 Pats Choice, 4.55 Did I Ask You That.

SOUTHWELL: 2.00 Ali Star Bert, 2.35 Coastguard Station, 3.05 Sanda Rena, 3.35 WHITE RHINO (NAP), 4.05 Presenting Belle, 4.35 Get Up Mush, 5.05 My Ticketyboo.

TAUNTON: 1.40 Ioupy Collonges, 2.10 Smart Casual, 2.45 She’s So Lovely, 3.15 New Age Dawning, 3.45 Libberty Hunter, 4.15 Auditoria, 4.45 Duhallow Tommy.

DOUBLE: White Rhino and Coastguard Station.

Whistleinthedark shines at Kempton for Laura Morgan

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Laura Morgan’s Whistleinthedark continued a good run of form when winning the Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Kempton under 3lb-claimer Patrick Cowley.

The eight-year-old was second on his seasonal debut and has won twice since, most recently taking a Wetherby novice by nine lengths before stepping back to two miles and two furlongs.

A 7-2 shot, he pursued the leader in the early stages, eventually taking up the lead himself to triumph by a length and a half from Paul Nicholls’ Cap Du Mathan.

Morgan said: “I’m absolutely delighted, when I saw Harry Cobden (second) coming up on the outside there I was a bit worried, but I think he’s done that really well. It was obviously a drop back in trip today and up in grade, I thought he did that well.

“Today wasn’t the target, I thought that we might go to Aintree with him but I’m not too sure yet. I thought we’d go up in grade today and see what he does and he’s done that nicely.”

Suzy Smith’s Animal was then a decisive winner of the Virgin Bet Handicap Chase under Charlie Hammond, justifying his status as 100-30 joint-favourite when winning by seven lengths.

Hammond said: “He’s a lot easier to ride in his races, he’s relaxed more. Normally we drop him out, today we were able to ride him handy. We went a bit wider for fresher ground but he’s jumped and travelled like the best horse in the race and he’s done it nicely.

“He quite often hits a flat spot in his race and then stays on and hits the line really well. The race has never quite been there for him but it was nice to get a race today, we were a bit concerned about the ground and the quick turnaround, but it’s worked out really nicely.”

Richard Bandey was pleased with the performance of the promising Theatre Man, a five-and-a-half-length winner of the Virgin Bet Fives Novices’ Hurdle.

Having run well in three hurdle starts, the seven-year-old was an 11-4 chance and made all of the running before comfortably pulling clear to cross the line five and a half lengths ahead of Nicky Henderson’s Issuing Authority.

Richard Bandey's Theatre Man
Richard Bandey’s Theatre Man (David Davies/PA)

The trainer said: “He’s done that really nicely today. He hasn’t run since December, so that’s the first opportunity that’s come about due to the ground and a few other bits and pieces. He’s done it really nicely, unchallenged, from the front, it seemed to suit the horse.

“He was carrying a 7lb penalty and Mr Henderson’s horse could have put up a serious challenge and it could have been a close affair. He’s it done it that nicely, I’m pleasantly surprised.

“I’d thought about a run round Cheltenham in April but we might be looking at Aintree now, a graded race, you might have to think about something like that.

“Next season he’ll go chasing. I love the way he jumps a hurdle but I think if he does it like that over a fence, he’ll be very impressive.”

Summerville Boy back to winning ways at Thurles

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Summerville Boy rolled back the years as he won for the first time since 2020 at Thurles on Saturday.

Winner of the Tolworth and Supreme Novices’ Hurdles when trained by Tom George back in 2018, Summerville Boy had not struck gold since winning at Aintree in November over two years ago.

Off the track for 420 days before debuting for Henry de Bromhead on New Year’s Eve, Summerville Boy was last seen coming home a distant second to subsequent Stayers’ Hurdle runner-up Teahupoo in the Galmoy Hurdle at the end of January.

Dropped down in company for the End Of The Season Hurdle, Summerville Boy (4-1) appeared to up against it with Asterion Forlonge, who was having his first run since finishing seventh in the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Summerville Boy was a Cheltenham Festival winner in 2018
Summerville Boy was a Cheltenham Festival winner in 2018 (Tim Goode/PA)

Asterion Forlonge was sent off 10-11 favourite but his lack of fitness appeared to tell when Rachael Blackmore went for home on the front-running Summerville Boy and the now 11-year-old kept on strongly to win by four and a half lengths.

Blackmore said: “He had been doing things nicely, had been schooling well and were hoping to get a day like that out of him.

“My lad is a lot fitter (than Asterion Forlonge) so had that on his side and that was a help.”

Blackmore and De Bromhead enjoyed two Grade One winners at the Cheltenham Festival with Envoi Allen claiming Thursday’s Ryanair Chase, but Honeysuckle’s victory in the Mares’ Hurdle on Tuesday was arguably the highlight of the week.

The dual Champion Hurdle winner bowed out in style with a fourth Festival strike and Blackmore was delighted to see immensely popular runner bow out on a high.

Honeysuckle returns to rapturous applause
Honeysuckle returns to rapturous applause (Tim Goode/PA)

She added: “It was an incredible week and Tuesday was a day I’ll never forget.

“That feeling from the very top of the chute, the whole way back in, the whole way back around into the winner’s enclosure, with the masses of crowds all looking at her, was incredible.

“Every letter I get in the post from kids mentions Honeysuckle, so there are a lot of people cheering me on and I’m delighted for everyone that we delivered on Tuesday. In this sport it doesn’t always happen, so it is fantastic.

“I was feeling the pressure on the build-up and you wouldn’t be human if you weren’t feeling it but it is a class position to be in. She was really on song and it is a big thanks to the team and to Henry.”

Michael O’Sullivan is hailed by the Cheltenham crowd
Michael O’Sullivan is hailed by the Cheltenham crowd (David Davies/PA)

Michael O’Sullivan rode Marine Nationale to Supreme glory on Tuesday and he was back among the winners at Thurles as Time To Rocco (4-1) lifted the Dillon Quirke Foundation Mares Beginners Chase.

Routine Excellence (12-1) landed the Jimmy Neville Memorial Handicap Chase, while Lorna Fowler’s Tophill Low (3-1) opened his account in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

Major Dundee wins Midlands National battle

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Alan King’s Major Dundee was an impressive winner of the Boulton Group Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter.

Ridden by Rex Dingle and starting at 12-1, the eight-year-old carried the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings to a tough staying performance when jumping well and prevailing by three lengths.

Third in the Scottish Grand National last season, the gelding could now return to the same race at Ayr in the spring having defeated Chris Honour’s Tile Tapper by three lengths.

King said: “I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s been a difficult season because we ran him at Ascot in the early season and he just got jarred up.

“It’s been a struggle to get him back, he ran OK at Kempton the other day but he’s just much better going left-handed. I was thrilled with him today.

Major Dundee and Rex Dingle
Major Dundee and Rex Dingle (Tim Goode/PA)

“It’s the first ride that Rex has ever had for me and the one thing I said to him was just to try to get into a rhythm and then see what happens.

“That’s exactly what he did, got him travelling, got him jumping. I was very pleased all round.

“He’s had a hard race today on that ground, I would imagine it would be the Scottish Grand National or that’s him for the year, we’ll see. I’m delighted to win that race and he’s still a young horse, so there’s hopefully more to come.

“As a novice last year he finished third in the Scottish National. He’s a typical Hemmings type of horse so it’s very special.”

Nicholls and Cobden hit Kempton double

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Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden added to an already successful week as Outlaw Peter initiated a Kempton double in the Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle.

The Ditcheat team enjoyed dual Grade One success at the Cheltenham Festival with Stage Star and Stay Away Fay, while Bravesmansgame put up a strong challenge to Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before having to settle for second.

While Nicholls admits Outlaw Peter would not be of that calibre, he was pleased to see the 3-1 favourite on the mark at the Sunbury track.

A winner at Wincanton last time out, the gelding took a another two-mile-five-furlong hurdle with a positive, prominent run to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

“I was a bit worried about the ground, having rained, because he pulled up in the Lanzarote but most of them did that day,” Nicholls said.

“Today was a slightly easier race, not so competitive, and he was able to dominate and just fill his lungs all the time. It was never in doubt really.

“He could go to Aintree or Ayr, or even a novice hurdle at Cheltenham at the April meeting. We’ll find one more run for him somewhere then he’ll go novice chasing in the autumn.

“Harry just said he’ll be some chaser. He’s quite versatile, he’ll win over two (miles) and a half on soft, he’ll go three miles on better ground.

“I shouldn’t think he’ll be a Grade One horse but he’ll win loads of races.”

Complete Unknown, pictured at Sandown last year
Complete Unknown, pictured at Sandown last year (Steven Paston/PA)

Complete Unknown was a decisive winner of the Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Chase, completing the Nicholls-Cobden brace.

A consistent type, the gelding was last seen finishing second the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick when beaten 13 lengths by Galia Des Liteaux.

That contest was over three miles on heavy ground, but at Kempton he stepped down in trip to just over two and a half miles on a good to soft surface.

Whilst prevailing by an unchallenged 16 lengths from Fergal O’Brien’s Silver Hallmark, Cobden believes the horse will ultimately make a staying chaser and a candidate for the longest distance contests.

He said: “He’s a lovely horse, very progressive.

“He’s one of those horses I could just see next year running in a Welsh National with those good staying chasers.

“This time next year he might go to Uttoxeter for the Midlands National, something like that. He loves soft ground as well, which is the key to him.

“He could be a graded horse but I think he’s just a very good handicapper, if I was going to put my money on it.

“I think he just lacks that gear, he doesn’t quite have that class to travel through in a graded race. On a bit of good ground, he’d always be doing a bit too much.

“He’ll earn some nice pots in his time anyway,” he told Racing TV.

Townend both delighted and relieved after a fruitful Festival

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Paul Townend reflected on another successful Cheltenham Festival that saw him cap his leading rider title with a third Gold Cup victory aboard Galopin Des Champs.

Townend and trainer Willie Mullins had previously landed the blue riband with Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020 and Galopin Des Champs’ seven-length triumph over Bravemansgame leaves Townend needing just one more win to equal Pat Taaffe as the most successful rider in the race’s history.

Galopin Des Champs had dominated the Gold Cup market from an early stage and that confidence proved justified as he put a last-fence fall in the 2022 Turners Novices’ Chase well behind him with an impressive triumph.

Townend ranks the seven-year-old as one of his best mounts – although he holds Al Boum Photo in high esteem after his Festival strikes – but admitted he felt the pressure ahead of the main event.

Paul Townend at Thurles on Saturday
Paul Townend at Thurles on Saturday (PA)

He said: “Every winner in Cheltenham is special but the Gold Cup is the Gold Cup and it has an extra spice about it, with plenty of pressure riding a horse being so well fancied. It was brilliant the way it worked out.

“I thought the start was a bit of a joke to be honest, for a Gold Cup, as we were on the back foot as there were horses jumping left and right and into me, which made him (Galopin Des Champs) become a bit careful. All credit to him for coming back down from the air and into a rhythm and bar the third-last he was pretty good on the final circuit.

“At Leopardstown, I gave him a few flicks and he took off for me and yesterday he galloped out through the line and I actually had to stop him – it was a huge, huge performance.

“He is right up there with the best of the horses I’ve ridden, but Al Boum won two though.”

Paul Townend and Willie Mullins celebrate with the Gold Cup
Paul Townend and Willie Mullins celebrate with the Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)

Townend was crowned top jockey for a third time, with Mullins picking up a 10th trainer’s accolade with the pair securing five victories together, while the handler enjoyed a sixth success with his son Patrick.

The team struck Grade One gold with the likes of Arkle runner El Fabiolo, Champion Chase victor Energumene, Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle scorer Impaire Et Passe and Triumph Hurdle victor Lossiemouth, who led home a one-two-three-four for Mullins.

Townend added: “It was brilliant, a good meeting. It’s nice to be leading rider there – I suppose you’re kind of expected to be when you’re riding for Willie with the ammunition he brings over, but it doesn’t always work out like that.”