Mullins wins first Gold Cup

Horse Racing
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Legendary trainer Willie Mullins has secured his first ever win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup thanks to Al Boum Photo.

Mullins had remarkably never won the prestigious race despite having an otherwise great record at the Festival – being the leading trainer in five separate years.

The 12/1 shot was in close contention throughout and led going into the penultimate fence, before having to dig deep in the final straight under Paul Townend to take the victory.

And Mullins, who predicted Bellshill to be the horse to beat, admits he was delighted to secure the Gold Cup for the first time.

Mullins said: ‘I’ve got used to the disappointment of finishing second.

I thought Bellshill would take a lot of beating, but Ruby (Walsh) wasn’t happy with him and pulled him up early.

To have three of the four runners out of the race before they came to the second-last first time round – I was depending on one.

‘Every time I looked at Paul, his body language told me was very happy and the horse was relaxed.

When he came over the last, I just looked at the winning post and thought nothing would come and get him unless he stops or runs out or something like that.’

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