Cheltenham LIVE: Results, winners and latest updates from Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup schedule, racecard and all the action as the Festival concludes on Day 4
Galopin Des Champs proved too strong for Bravemansgame with a brilliant performance to land the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, Galopin Des Champs was sent off the 7/5 favourite to make a successful step up in trip in the three-mile-two-furlong showpiece.
And while he was unproven over the distance, his stamina was never in doubt as he outstayed Bravemansgame up the Cheltenham hill to claim an impressive seven-length verdict.
Last year’s winner Rachael Blackmore was unable to repeat her historic triumph 12 months on, as she pulled up on A Plus Tard after being caught by a falling horse five fences out.
Follow all of our final-day coverage from the 2023 Cheltenham Festival below:
1.30 - Triumph Hurdle latest odds
Lossiemouth 7/4
Blood Destiny 5/2
Gala Marceau 9/2
Zenta 10/1
Ascending 16/1
Jupiter Du Gite 50/1
Hypotenus 50/1
Gust Of Wind 50/1
Jipcot 66/1
Je Garde 125/1
BAR 150/1 – 15 runners
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 race card, runners and full schedule for 2023
Cheltenham Festival saw Rachael Blackmore steer Honeysuckle to an emotional farewell victory on Day 1 before Energumene and Delta Work were among the big-name winners on Day 2.
As well as the Gold Cup, punters will be excited to take on plenty of Grade 1 races this week and the action does not stop after Good Time Jonny won the Pertemps Network Final Hurdle and Sire Du Berlais took the Stayers’ Hurdle.
On Friday, the County Hurdle and the Mares Chase will also be high-profile races, even with the Gold Cup as the main attraction.
In what could be a wet week at the festival, British trainers hope to hit back after taking a heavy beating to their Irish counterparts last year, conceding the Prestbury Cup 12 months ago with just 10 wins compared to 18 Irish victories.
The festival provides a massive £274m boost to the local economy, a study from the University of Gloucestershire has found. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival including the full race card and Day 4 schedule for Friday:
Cheltenham race card 2023: Festival runners and full schedule
Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup race card, runners and full schedule for 2023
Here’s the going for Gold Cup day
‘Going at Cheltenham Racecourse for Gold Cup day is Soft, Good to Soft (in places).
‘Going Stick: 6.1 on 17-03-2023 at 09:30. Mainly dry morning with potential showers during the afternoon.’
What time is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The Cheltenham Festival concludes on Friday after what has been a thrilling week of racing but it’s now time for the Gold Cup.
It was all about Rachael Blackmore 12 months ago on A Plus Tard and the Irishwoman has given an update on the horse ahead of its bid to defend the title.
There’s time for one more packed race card including seven exciting races to showcase the finest in the sport in the Cotswolds, including the highly-anticipated Gold Cup.
Here is all the information about the Cheltenham Gold Cup:
Early movers via Oddschecker
Here’s a look at some of the early movers in this morning’s betting:
Hewick 50/1 – 25/1 [Gold Cup]
Path D’Oroux 20/1 – 12/1 [County Hurdle]
Irish Hill 14/1 – 8/1 [Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle]
Ahoy Senor 22/1 – 12/1 [Gold Cup]
Petit Tonnere 33/1 – 20/1 [County Hurdle]
‘World’s most expensive’ pint of Guinness goes on sale at Cheltenham
Cheltenham Festival fans will be able to drink the “world’s most expensive” pint of Guinness.
While racing enthusiasts digest all the latest tips for Day 3, they can enjoy a different drink after online bookmaker Fitzdares launched a blend of the Irish stout and sparkling wine that will cost drinkers £20 a pint.
“Club Black Velvet” will mix the thick black beer equally with English fizz, with Fitzdares’ chief executive claiming he had concocted the beverage to celebrate the new post-brexit deal for Northern Ireland, agreed at Windsor in late February.
William Woodhams also hopes that the high-cost libation may stop quaffers complaining about the price of a regular pint of Guinness.
Which horses does Sir Alex Ferguson own and when will they race at Cheltenham?
Sir Alex Ferguson eyes Cheltenham Festival glory this week with the former Manchester United manager holding three contenders.
Hermes Allen is among the best tips for Ladies’ Day on Day 2 at the festival.
An avid racing fan since retiring, one of his former players described how racing was not always his main passion.
“Well, we’re very excited about it [Hermes Allen], it’s a very good horse, we’ve got the Irish to beat, but we look forward to it,” Sir Alex told ITV. “It’s unbelievable, Honeysuckle, I don’t think anybody was left without a tear, the emotion of the thing, the jockey and trainer. [Arsenal or City in the title race?] I’m not interested.”
Here are Sir Alex’s three horses to watch out for this week.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Which horses does ex-Man Utd boss own at Cheltenham?
Which horses does Alex Ferguson own and when will they race at Cheltenham 2023?
Paul Townend previews his Gold Cup day
Jockey Paul Townend spoke to Ladbrokes about his prospects on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham. First up he’s riding Lossiemouth in the Triumph Hurdle at 1.30pm and says form is on her side.
“I spent a lot of time trying to figure out which one I would ride.” said Townend.
“I am happy to be on Lossiemouth but whether I am on the right one remains to be seen. We were unlucky at the Dublin Racing Festival.
“She showed huge ability on her two wins before that and to get as close as she did to Gala Marceau after suffering so much interference that day was impressive. My horse has the form in the book so I sided with her.”
Why the Cheltenham dress code could be the beginning of the end
You know what I’ve never understood? Ties. If ties didn’t already exist and you tried to introduce them to the world tomorrow, people would look at you like you were insane. “It’s a bit of cloth that goes around your neck, and if you don’t wear it to a job interview you’ll probably not be able to afford rent next month.”
“Oh, OK. Does it at least keep your neck warm?” my fashion-backwards audience asks.
“That’s the great thing: no.,” I reply. “Also, it’s really uncomfortable, and you have to coordinate your entire outfit to match it.” And then, presumably, they put me in prison.
My point is, there are so many little accessories and affectations that we accept as a matter of course, never questioning why our worth as human beings is intrinsically tied to a functionless piece of cloth or leather that we’re expected to shell out major cash for. And based on the latest news, it looks like Cheltenham Racecourse agrees with me, as the horsiest place on earth finally took the important step of easing restrictions on its dress code.
Check out Ryan Coogan’s full piece on the alterations to Cheltenham’s dress code:
Opinion: The Cheltenham dress code could be the beginning of the end
The announcement was met with a range of reactions, including one person who said that the move ‘encourages mediocrity’
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