Cheltenham 2019 Gold Cup results: Al Boum Photo gives Willie Mullins his first ever winner in main event

Despite winning the most races in the history of the Cheltenham Festival, Irish trainer Mullins has endured a long and frustrating wait to taste success in the Gold Cup

Jack Watson
Cheltenham
Friday 15 March 2019 16:39 GMT
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Drone shots of Cheltenham race course

Willie Mullins had resigned himself to never winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup before 12/1 Al Boum Photo claimed victory in the Cheltenham Festival's showpiece event.

The 64-time Cheltenham winner certainly knows how to train them here but has been entering horses in the most sought-after race in the National Hunt calendar for 20 years without a win.

Mullins has been runner up in this race six times but had a good chance this year with four quality entries, however his hopes of winning were beginning to look slim when Kemboy unseated David Mullins early on and Ruby Walsh pulled up Bellshill shortly after. Invitation then fatally fell, leaving Al Boum Photo to challenge early pace-setters Native River and Might Bite.

But as the big favourites waned, Al Boum Photo and Paul Townend surged to the front of the field to take a famous victory ahead of Anibale Fly and Bristol De Mai, with Native River holding on to fourth.

“It was nice to get one on the board,” said Mullins, who started to believe he was never going to win the Gold Cup. “The early ones were disappointing but you get used to it. I had probably resigned myself to never winning a Gold Cup, so I said I won’t obsess about it or get too disappointed by it.

“Sometimes trainers say ‘my way is not the Gold Cup way’ and sometimes it is not meant to be.

“I thought you get one chance every year and when three are gone I thought ‘ah, another year like that’. I had all my disappointment out of me early in the race.”

Last year's victor Native River set the early pace, renewing its battle with Might Bite at the front of the field. Favourite Presenting Percy was never really in contention and had to settle for eighth, behind another hotly-fancied runner in Clan Des Obeaux who came home in fifth, while Thistlecrack and Bellshill were both pulled up early on.

Paul Townend paid tribute to Willie Mullins (Action Images via Reuters)

Townend made headlines with Al Boum Photo for the wrong reasons at Punchestown last season after dramatically running out when in the lead and paid tribute to Mullins’ faith in him.

“I can't believe it. It's the Gold Cup, there's only one a year and I never dreamt I'd win it.

"Like any race, when you're going well it's so simple.

"It's unbelievable and I'm privileged to be riding for Willie Mullins."

Joe and Marie Donnelly own a number of top horses, including Melon, but like Willie, this was their first Festival winner too.

Al Boum Photo was an unlikely Gold Cup winner

"It's great to have a winner and it's great to have Willies first Gold Cup also," said Joe.

Native River was the well-fancied to defend its title and the rain on Friday morning only increased its chances of winning. However, despite setting the early pace, it lacked the stamina to complete the job and finished fourth. "He has still run a really great race and has stayed on for fourth," said Richard Johnson.

"It just didn't go smoothly as last year. He jumped well but was just a but more sluggish this year. There are no reasons why. For this you have to be in tip top form."

Despite a disappointing result, Native River still fared better than 3/1 favourite Presenting Percy. Davy Russell said they "didn't get on great" after coming eighth, the second last to finish.

There was drama earlier in the day when Sir Erec was fatally injured in the JCB Triumph Hurdle after an issue with its shoe delayed the start to the first race of the day.

Ch'tbello won the County Handicap Hurdle before 50/1 outsider Minella Indo won the Albert Bartle with the ever-impressive Rachael Blackmore at the reins. Hazel Hill justified its short odds to win the Foxhunter Chase, then 66/1 Croco Bay won the Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase before Early Doors won the Martin Pipe, the final race of the Festival.

All odds quoted are Betfair. The Betfair Exchange had the best odds on every winner at the Cheltenham Festival last year. Small Details. Big Results at Cheltenham with Betfair. BSP v ISP. Exchange win market only. BSP is a win only calculation. 5% commission deducted. Further charges may apply. T&Cs Apply.

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