Boum time again in Gold Cup

Festival ends on a high for Mullins and Townend.

Al Boum Photo won a second successive Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup on what was a remarkable closing day of the Festival for trainer Willie Mullins.

Becoming the first horse to win back-to-back Gold Cups since Best Mate, the eight-year-old’s victory was the pinnacle of a four-timer for Mullins.

Burning Victory began the winning streak in the JCB Triumph Hurdle after runaway leader Goshen unshipped Jamie Moore over the final flight with the race at his mercy.

Saint Roi then took the Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle and Monkfish prevailed in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, before Al Boum Photo’s victory provided the stable with their fourth winner of the day.

The performance also secured Mullins the leading trainer award and jockey Paul Townend the top jockey crown, with the duo securing seven and five wins respectively across the week.

Picture of the day

Quote of the day

Performance of the day

Al Boum Photo succeeded in defending his Gold Cup title having run only once since winning the blue riband last season. Travelling in mid-division for the bulk of the race, he was one of several with a chance over the last few fences. He eventually took up the lead over the final flight and battled up the hill, leaving behind Lostintranslation and holding off a rallying Santini to prevail by a neck on the line.

Ride of the day

Riding her father Eugene’s It Came To Pass in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, Maxine O’Sullivan completely defied the 66-1 odds offered by bookmakers. Picking through a large field to challenge Minella Rocco, Shantou Flyer and 11-4 favourite Billaway into the last, the amateur shook off all three to put in a neat jump at the final fence and power up the hill to a shock 10-length victory.

What’s next?

The eyes of the jumping world now turn to Uttoxeter, which hosts the Midlands Grand National on Saturday. A marathon contest run over four miles and one and a half furlongs, the race attracts the dourest of stayers and the testing ground only adds to the challenge. Paul Nicholls’ Truckers Lodge is well fancied to play a leading role, having finished second behind previous winner Potters Corner in the Welsh Grand National last time out.

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