Gaelic Warrior wins Gold Cup as favorite triumphs at Cheltenham Festival

Gaelic Warrior has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in decisive fashion.

Paul Townend proved Gaelic Warrior – who was at 11/4 – was the best horse in the field as he pulled away ahead of the final hurdle, clearing the final jump, to romp home with a huge victory margin. Jango Baie took second while Inothewayurthinkin rounded out the top three.

Townend has now become the Cheltenham Gold Cup’s most successful jockey with his fifth success, while Rich Ricci finally has a winner on the biggest stage of them all. And Willie Mullins was over the moon for the American after his maiden win.

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Speaking to ITV, Mullins said: “It was just extraordinary! I’m so delighted for the Ricci’s, they’re the first owners to win the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It was fantastic and the way he did it.”

Cameras then picked up Townend: “I’m speechless. This was a huge team effort, I was just the fortunate one to get to ride him today. This lad went to sleep and jumped from fence to fence. It was just a matter of not falling off!”

An emotional Ricci said: “I’ve been trying to win this race for twenty one years. I’ve been crying since the second last. Brave! Magic!” It’s been a great week, unbelievable.”

It wasn’t to be for Harry Redknapp on Friday, with the legendary football boss watching his horse, The Jukebox Man, fall away in the final furlongs.

However, there were worrying scenes for 12-year-old Envoi Allen, who, according to ITV, collapsed on the walk back into the course after racing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. ITV announced then sadly announced Envoi Allen had passed away

The horse was set to race his last ever race for trainer Henry De Bromhead today before retiring.