THE Cheltenham Festival may not have started that well for top Irish trainer Willie Mullins and his stable jockey Paul Townend; however, the opening Tuesday was but a distant memory after they capped a brilliant week by winning a second consecutive Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup with Al Boum Photo.
The eight-year-old gelding has now joined a select band to have won consecutive Gold Cups since World War II; Cottage Rake, Arkle, L’Escargot and Best Mate. Kauto Star also won it twice, but either side of his defeat to Denman.
On Tuesday (10 March), Townend had come in for some criticism for Benie Des Dieux’s defeat to Honeysuckle, but it is a great strength of the jockey to put a reverse like that behind him by the time he comes out again.
Unlike last year’s Gold Cup, when Might Bite and Native River took each other on, there was not much pace. With a tight range of ratings for the dozen runners, it was no surprise that there were so many in with a chance from the top of the hill.
Aware of that, Townend had moved into the front rank on Al Boum Photo, so he could control the last quarter of the race and cover any moves from his rivals, including the cruising Lostintranslation and stable companion Real Steel.
Denne historien er fra March 19, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 19, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
