Willie goes wild but Sizing John steals the show at Cheltenham
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Four incredible days, one Cheltenham Festival. And what a way to end the latest edition of the Greatest Show on Turf.
For all the punting strife endured throughout the first two days, the second-half of this year’s meeting provided some much-needed cheer.
Defi Du Seuil emptied the bookies’ satchels when landing the Triumph Hurdle, a much-welcome and well-deserved victory for Philip Hobbs and champion jockey Richard Johnson.
His trainer is already making future plans.
Thoughts already turn to the 2017 Champion Hurdle or even the Arkle for an emotional Philip Hobbs and his Triumph Hurdle winer Defi Du Seuil pic.twitter.com/wwrmN1rCDP
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 17, 2017
Arctic Fire then gave Willie Mullins win number five courtesy of a majestic ride from Paul Townend in the County Hurdle.
The 20/1 shot swooped late to beat L’Ami Serge by a nose.
Jockey @PTownend is at his strongest to drive Arctic Fire to victory in the @RandoxHealth County Hurdle #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/LjvQYEYKGd
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 17, 2017
And it was about to get even better for the Mullins-Townend partnership. Penhill upset the odds to land the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle with hot favourite Death Duty falling at the last when well back in the field.
Six of the best for Mullins as Penhill wins Albert Bartlett https://t.co/QqZC6XADH4 pic.twitter.com/WfwOQ2FDCi
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) March 17, 2017
However, the Closutton handler is still waiting for the biggest prize of them all.
Despite travelling well throughout, 3/1 favourite Djakadam couldn’t see out the Gold Cup slog in the hands of Ruby Walsh.
Instead, Irish Gold Cup winner Sizing John came powering through for debutant trainer, Jessica Harrington.
Minella Rocco ran a stormer in second with Colin Tizzard’s Native River finishing back in third.
“It was beginner’s luck!” Jessica Harrington on saddling her first winner from her first runner in the #GoldCup #SizingJohn #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/ELh7tX6L3d
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 17, 2017
Djakadam in the #GoldCup…
2015: Runner-up
2016: Runner-up
2017: FourthThird time unlucky for Willie Mullins#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/0K7H7a2gTL
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) March 17, 2017
Even John’s ‘friends’ were quick to congratulate him…
That my boy!
Sizing John has made me feel so much better
Well done Champ ?#GoldCupWinner— Douvan (@RealDouvan) March 17, 2017
Let’s watch the moment of victory again…
Sizing John wins the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup for Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power – a first win in the race for both of them! pic.twitter.com/xa7c50TAy5
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 17, 2017
Meanwhile, Pacha Du Polder and Wonderful Charm delivered a 1-2 for trainer Paul Nicholls in the Foxhunter Chase.
As you’d expect, both trainer and jockey were delighted with the result.
Bryony Frost is all smiles after steering Pacha Du Polder to victory in the Foxhunter Chase @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/C7kJrYsrng
— Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) March 17, 2017
“I really believed in Pacha,” Paul Nicholls on keeping the faith with Pacha Du Polder #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/AL3Xv7mXmN
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 17, 2017
And just when we thought the excitement was coming to and end, up pops another Gordon Elliott winner in Champagne Classic.
His Martin Pipe success took him level with Mullins on six winners for the week.
Gordon Elliott joins Willie Mullins with six winners at the festival as Champagne Classic takes the Martin Pipe
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) March 17, 2017
And so we come to the grand finale. Or the Grand Annual Chase to be more precise.
Jessie Harrington and Robbie Power put the seal on a fine week with Rock the World the 28th winner of a breathtaking meeting.
The 2017 #CheltenhamFestival ends with a third win of the week for the Jessica Harrington/Robbie Power combo thanks to ROCK THE WORLD
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 17, 2017
Just in case you were interested, it finished Ireland 19-9 Great Britain!
Thanks for joining us. See you next year!
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
