Cheltenham Festival 2022 LIVE: Gold Cup results, odds and updates as Rachael Blackmore wins on A Plus Tard

Follow all the action from day four at the Cheltenham Festival as Rachael Blackmore makes history by winning the Gold Cup on A Plus Tard

Racegoers arrive for the first day of the Cheltenham Festival

The finale of the Cheltenham Festival saw Rachael Blackmore make more history in the Gold Cup as she triumphed on A Plus Tard to become the first female jockey to win the blue riband event of jump-racing as Minella Indo’s attempt to secure back-to-back victories fell short.

Despite a bright and sunny day three, the going is soft again after the heavy rain from Wednesday but conditions at the Greatest Show on Turf are close to perfect as the Festival comes to a close. The day’s action was headlined, of course, by the Gold Cup but the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and JCB Triumph Hurdle also provided plenty of drama.

On day three, Flooring Porter joined the illustrious list of horses who have won the Stayers’ Hurdle on more than one occasion with his second consecutive victory, while Alloha repeated the same feat in the Ryanair Chase. But Minella Indo couldn’t quite match their performances in the Gold Cup - finishing second behind A Plus Tard.

Follow for live updates, as well as tips, odds and results as the Cheltenham Festival concludes today:

Cheltenham Festival 2022

• Rachael Blackmore makes history by winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard
• Billaway dramatically chases down Winged Leader to win Festival Hunters’ Chase
• The Nice Guy triumphs in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
• State Man takes victory in the County Hurdle
• Cheltenham Festival: Day four schedule

[18 March 2022 16:15 · Michael Jones]

Cheltenham Festival

Don Bersy breezes into a four/five length lead over Cousin Pascal heading toward the water jump. Mighty Stowaway is contesting for second with Winged Leader taking a wide line.

[18 March 2022 16:13 · Michael Jones]

Cheltenham Festival

Winged Leader and Billaway go up against each other once again here in another race for amateur riders. The pair met at Thurles in January with Winged Leader winning by 12 lengths for trainer David Christie.

But Billaway has finished second in this race in both 2020 and 2021.

[18 March 2022 16:09 · Michael Jones]

Cheltenham Festival

19 horse run in the next race, the St James’s Plate Hunters’ Chase. At 7/4 Billaway is well back over closest rival Winged Leader 4/1. The favourite is another horse trained by Willie Mullins. What a day it would be for him if Billaway gets over the line.

[18 March 2022 16:04 · Michael Jones]

Cheltenham Festival

A superstar jockey.

[18 March 2022 16:01 · Michael Jones]

Cheltenham Festival

4.10pm - St James’s Plate Hunters’ Chase

Billaway 6/4

Winged Leader 11/1

Bob And Co, Dubai Quest 13/2

Pont Aven 17/2

Cousin Pascal 9/1

Lord Schnitzel 18/1

Overworkdunderpaid, Premier Magic 22/1

Fumet Doudairies 25/1

It Came To Pass, Mighty Stowaway 28/1

Monbeg Chit Chat 33/1

Desire De Joie, Senor Lombardy 66/1

Don Bersy 70/1

Back Bar, Point The Way 80/1

Rewritetherules 100/1

*Latest odds via Betfair

[18 March 2022 15:55 · Michael Jones]

Cheltenham Festival

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead had a one-two finish for the second consecutive year and spoke to the BBC after the race saying:

It was incredible. I’m delighted - Rachael was brilliant on him. I’m delighted with Minella Indo too - he ran an absolute blinder as well.

“Rachael [Blackmore] was so brave with the way she went about it. She was just amazing on him.

“It does feel different this year. It’s the crowd. It’s incredible. It was amazing to win it last year but it’s triple amazing this year.”

[18 March 2022 15:51 · Michael Jones]

Cheltenham Festival

Rachael Blackmore speaking to ITV:

I can’t believe it. I am so lucky to get to ride all these horses. You can’t do it without these horses. Being attached to Henry’s yard is unbelievable. I don’t know what to say.

“I wouldn’t swap the Grand National for anything but this is the Gold Cup. I wish I had something better to say but I just can’t! I can’t explain how lucky I feel.”

[18 March 2022 15:48 · Michael Jones]

Cheltenham Festival

Rachael Blackmore has made sporting headlines once again. The cheers and adulation are incredible as she and A Plus Tard make their way to the winners enclosure.

[18 March 2022 15:45 · Michael Jones]

Cheltenham Festival

It was a second placed finish last year but A Plus Tard storms over the line to win the Gold Cup 12 months later. Rachael Blackmore can’t believe it.

Cheltenham reaches its thrilling conclusion on Gold Cup day (AFP via Getty Images)

[18 March 2022 15:43 · Michael Jones]

Cheltenham Festival

Look at this finish from A Plus Tard. Rachael Blackmore was the first female jockey to win the Grand National. She is the first female jockey to win the Gold Cup too!