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
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:
JCB Triumph Hurdle results
1st: Vauban 6/4
2nd: Fil Dor 11/2
3rd: Pied Piper 7/2
4th: Icare Allen 10/1
Cheltenham Festival
It was a comfortable victory in the end for Paul Townend and Vauban. Trainer Willie Mullins has the first win of the day. He’s got some cracking horses still to come so it could turn into a good day for the Irish trainer.
Cheltenham Festival
Vauban doesn’t jump it well and stumbles on the exit but he recovers and kicks on in front of Pied Piper. Fil Dor sticks with them up the hill but Vauban opens up a lead.
Cheltenham Festival
Vauban makes a move on the outside with Pied Piper just inside him. They move past Porticello but face competition from Fil Dor who is hanging in well as they approach the last jump.
Cheltenham Festival
At the back of the field Ages of Man is falling away as they approach the final three fences. Porticello still has the lead over Fil Dor but the rest of the pack has closed the gap. Vauban hovers in fourth with Pied Piper moving up the field.
Cheltenham Festival
Porticello and Fil Dor head towards the second fence with a two length lead over Icare Allen and Vauban. They all make is over the hurdle and the two leaders continue to open up their lead.
Cheltenham Festival
The JCB Triumph Hurdle kicks off the final day of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. The horses head to the tape and they’re off! Porticello takes an uncontested lead to the first hurdle.
Cheltenham Festival
Vauban heads onto the course as the 13/8 favourite with Pied Piper his nearest rival at 3/1. 12 horses run in the opening race of the day.
Knight Salute is a potential outside contender at 16/1.
1.30pm - JCB Triumph Hurdle
The opening race looks set to be another winning race for the Irish with Willie Mullins’ Vauban and Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper the two leading fancies.
Pied Piper, who will be ridden by Jack Kennedy, took the honours at Punchestown on the last day of 2021 but Vauban, ridden by Paul Townend, improved for that run.
He was impressive when winning the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last month for a first Grade 1 win.
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