What a final day at Cheltenham!
Minella Indo took the Gold Cup at 9/1 to make it a Championship races treble for Henry de Bromhead with Jack Kennedy on board, denying Rachael Blackmore a record-equalling seventh festival victory of the week on A Plas Tard.
It also brought in a stunning €575k fourfold for one punter off a €20 bet from back in December. Mystic Meg stuff.
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Blackmore wasn’t held winless though, as she opened the day with her sixth success of the festival on Quilixios on her way to the top jockey title.
Elsewhere, Vanillier took the Albert Bartlett and 33/1 shot Belfast Banter chuckling all the way to the winning post in the County Hurdle.
There were some tight finishes in the final few races as Porlock Bay won a photo finish in the Hunters Chase, and Colreevy was pushed all the way by Elimay in the inaugural Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.
Though the tightest finish was reserved for the trainer crown as Willie Mullins pipped Henry de Bromhead at the post thanks to Golpin Des Champs in the very last race of the festival – though De Bromhead did become the first trainer to ever win the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Gold Cup treble in the same year, so you’d wonder who’s happier…
Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy were our watchalong punters for the afternoon watching all the drama unfold – you can check out how their afternoon went on Twitter, Youtube and Facebook.
Join @petercrouch and @officialclancy for a live Watchalong of Gold Cup day at the #CheltenhamFestival https://t.co/K1oyHaqPFK
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 19, 2021
And here are the full results and a few headline stories from the closing day of Cheltenham 2021 in case you missed anything:
- Quilixios takes the opener under for a sixth Rachael Blackmore winner
- Belfast Banter wins the County Hurdle at 33/1
- Albert Bartlett sees Vanillier at 14/1 home first for Gavin Cromwell
- Minella Indo makes it a Championship treble in the Gold Cup for Henry de Bromhead
- Paddy Power Punter pockets over €575,000 on €20 fourfold
- Porlock Bay gets the nod in a Hunters Chase photo finish
- The first Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase goes to Colreevy
- Willie Mullins seizes trainer title in the last with Galopin Des Champs victory
And now it’s time to bid farewell to a lush corner Gloucestershire – don’t be sad that it’s over, be glad that it happened at all, and Paddy was there every step of the way.
Here’s how day four unfolded if you’re already feeling pangs of nostalgia…
Friday 5:01pm | Full result of the final race
Hope you listened to Ruby all you newbies, Galopin des Champs at 8/1…
Full result from the Martin Pipe #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/oZkLYcWm1n
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 19, 2021
Friday 4:59pm | But Galopin des Champ takes it
For Willie Mullins, making him the top trainer at the last, from Henry de Bromhead, on countback.
👏 @WillieMullinsNH is the leading trainer at the 2021 #CheltenhamFestival
Galopin Des Champs was sixth to Appreciate It last time out & captures the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle under Sean O'Keeffe#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/3CxoMHb9Mo
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 19, 2021
Friday 4:51pm | The closing race is underway
There’s nothing wrong, I’ve just got something in my eye…
Gentelman De Mee leads…
Friday 4:34pm | If you’re just discovering Paddy now…
Seriously, what have you been doing for the last four days?!
But anyway, you can get a £10 bet if you sign up now.
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And Ruby Walsh – you’ve heard of him, right? – has a pick for you in the last:
“GALOPIN DES CHAMP should be suited by the step up in trip and his run last time behind Appreciate It stands out. I favour him over stablemate Gentleman de Mee.”
Friday 4:29pm | One more tune, one more tune…
It’s the festival encore…
The final race of #TheCheltenhamFestival is the Martin Pipe, and we are paying on FIVE places.
Bet here: https://t.co/pweHAX7M3C pic.twitter.com/5r4uq715lU
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 19, 2021
Bet on the final race of day four at PaddyPower.com now
Friday 4:23pm | They jump the last
In step together, put the grey Elimay lets Colreevy (9/4) edge ahead as they approach the line for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
Elimay second for Willie too, Shattered Love third., Salsaretta fourth.
That win means the top trainer award will go to the last race of the day with Willie now on five to Henry de Bromhead’s six, though Rachael Blackmore is confirmed as top jockey.
Friday 4:20pm | Colreevy and Elimay
Make the running as the field is thinned out with three fences to go…
Friday 4:16pm | And they’re off
In the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase… Colreevy leads over the first fence…
Friday 4:05pm | Just taking a moment here…
Deep breath… One punter’s just stung us from over half a million quid.
“Irish punters have had a fantastic week at the Cheltenham Festival, but one punter in Shannon, County Clare has half-a-million reasons to toast trainer Henry De Bromhead.
The plucky punter placed a bet in a Paddy Power shop in Shannon at the start of December, backing Honeysuckle for the Champion Hurdle at 16/1, Bob Olinger in the Ballymore at 20/1, Put The Kettle On in the Champion Chase at 8/1 and Minella Indo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup at 8/1.
His €20 stake returned exactly €578,340 and clicked this afternoon as Minella Indo gamely clung on to win the Gold Cup from stablemate A Plus Tard.”
So there you go.
Need to find a darkened room…
Friday 3:55pm | Here’s the latest odds for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Remember. if you’re new to Paddy Power, first – Hello, nice to meet you – now, how about a £10 bet…
Bet on the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at PaddyPower.com now
Friday 3:52pm | Just two more races to go
And it’s the real feature race of the day (for Paddy anyway) – it’s the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
The Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase is next up at the #CheltenhamFestival
Bet here: https://t.co/pweHAX7M3C pic.twitter.com/Buss5glpuV
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 19, 2021
Friday 3:49pm | Photo finish…
And it goes to Porlock Bay with Lorcan Williams on board at 14/1. What a finish!
🇬🇧 It's a winner for Britain in a thriller!
Porlock Bay denies Billaway under an inspired ride from @williams_lorcan for @william_biddick
Results & free replays ➡ https://t.co/sBcsavHpYf#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/CdJ3kVCN7u
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 19, 2021
Friday 3:46pm | But is soon overtaken
Latenightpass takes over as more fancied runners move to the fore, Bob and Co is unseated allowing Porlock Bay and Billaway to go to the last together, jump together and land together… and they’re tied together at the line
Friday 3:41pm | They’re on their way
In the (Fox)Hunters Chase… Chameron pulled up as Mr Mantilla leads…
Friday 3:27pm | And here are some of the front-runners in the market
Bet on the Gold Cup at PaddyPower.com now
Friday 2:47pm | And don’t forget
If you’re new to all this, you can get a £/€10 bet on PaddyPower.com – for all the details click here.
Not sure who to back? You can take our football quiz:
Questions
Or see what all the so-called experts are backing across all the papers and websites right here.
Friday 2:46pm | You know what’s next…
It’s the Gold Cup!
Bet on the Gold Cup at PaddyPower.com now
Friday 2:37pm | Vanillier stays ahead
And pulls clear to win by a big margin at 14/1! Another horse the unlucky Jonathan Moore was due to ride after missing Flooring Porter won the Stayers’ Hurdle yesterday.
Oscar Elite second, Streets of Doyen third, Stattler fourth for your each-way payouts.
Friday 2:34pm | Adrimel and Vanillier
Now go a length clear, still a long way to go
Friday 2:32pm | Race number three
Is underway! Pats Fancy, Vanillier and Ngolo vying at the front for the early lead…
Friday 2:13pm | Albert Bartlett on the way
Here’s how our panel of pundits are calling it…
MICK FITZGERALD: STREETS OF DOYEN looks a good each-way play as he once beat Flooring Porter over this trip at Gowran Park.
RUBY WALSH: The make up of this race keeps changing FAKIERA still looks the one who will appreciate this 3m stamina test the most.
GINA BRYCE: Paul Nicholls fields the progressive, well-related Barbados Bucks but stablemate THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE interests me.
FRANK HICKEY: The step up to three miles is really going to suit FAKIERA as he will motor up the hill to hit the places at least.
MATT CHAPMAN: ALAPHILIPPE who has place claims at the very least. The seven-year-old stays well and was impressive at Kempton last time.
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Friday 2:04pm | Belfast Banter
You just know he’s great craic around the stables, nicking everyone’s polo mints, bridle encased in jelly, that sort of thing…
Full result from the County Hurdle, where we are paying on Seven places #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/MtncVNqCGz
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 19, 2021
Friday 2:01pm | And comes through
Running up the hill to win the County Hurdle. Belfast Banter at 33/1, Petit Mouchoir second, and Milkwood third.
The winner came right from the back of the field…
😂 Banter has the last laugh
A ride timed to perfection – Belfast Banter captures the County Hurdle for @kevinsexton94 & @PeterRacing #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/6ecqBJnNTK
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 19, 2021
Friday 1:59pm | Mengli Khan still at the front
But they’re massing around him, Milkwood moves to the front and Belfast Banter is pushing on…
Friday 1:56pm | Off we go…
In the County Hurdle, 8 hurdles over 2m1f… Mengli Khan making the early running…
Friday 1:41pm | Next race…
The 2nd race of the day at the #CheltenhamFestival is the County Hurdle, off at 13.55.
We are paying on SEVEN places for this race.
Bet here: https://t.co/pweHAX7M3C pic.twitter.com/rTdCDf4QDt
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 19, 2021
** NEW TO PADDY POWER? CLICK HERE FOR A £10 FIRST BET **
Rachael Blackmore rides Champagne Gold, the current favourite…
Bet on the County Hurdle at PaddyPower.com now
Friday 1:36pm | Watch out Ruby
That win puts Rachael Blackmore one behind Ruby Walsh’s record of seven winners at a festival, she has four more rides today…
She can’t… can she?
Friday 1:25pm | Quilixios leads on the home turn
And up the hill, under Rachael Blackmore and holds it over the final fence. Quilixios wins the JCB Triumph Hurdle!
Friday 1:22pm | And they’re off!
Quilixios moves to the front at the third, but Talking About You responds at the front
Friday 1:04pm | We’re live with Crouchy and Abbey…
Join @petercrouch and @officialclancy for a live Watchalong of Gold Cup day at the #CheltenhamFestival https://t.co/K1oyHaqPFK
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 19, 2021
Friday 12:57pm | Rachael Blackmore has five more rides today
Will she finish as the festival’s top jockey? She has five wins already…
Friday 12:51pm | And don’t miss the Power Prices
And #WhatOddsPaddy specials today
Plenty of Power Prices⚡️and #WhatOddsPaddy markets ahead of today's racing at the #CheltenhamFestival
Bet here: https://t.co/pweHAX7M3C pic.twitter.com/HW92Rk3RJj
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 19, 2021
Friday 12:37pm | How are our pundits approaching the feature event?
MICK FITZGERALD: There’s a much stronger pace angle in this year’s race and that will help AL BOUM PHOTO secure a third Gold Cup win to enter the history books.
RUBY WALSH: Willie Mullins is delighted with AL BOUM PHOTO. A Plus Tard look a bigger danger to him than Champ given the form Henry De Bromhead’s runners are in.
GINA BRYCE: The Champion hurdle winning duo of Racheal Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead can win with A PLUS TARD.
FRANK HICKEY: He’s a two-time Gold Cup winner but the still under-rated AL BOUM PHOTO can win his third Gold Cup.
MATT CHAPMAN: I’m backing SANTINI each-way who was only just touched off in last year’s race, I’m keeping the faith.
Bet on the Gold Cup at PaddyPower.com now
Friday 12:26pm | The trading view on the JCB Triumph Hurdle
Here’s how our top racing trader Frank Hickey looks at the race
“Zanahiyr sets a high standard a deserves to be a short-price favourite and his form looks stronger now with Saint Sam running so well in the Boodles on Tuesday, but I just think TRITONIC is going to relish the test that the new track at Cheltenham presents. Tritonic was among the best of these on the flat, finishing second in a Royal Ascot handicap off a mark of 95 and finishing second to subsequent Group 1 winner Subjectivist at Hamilton.
He made his hurdles debut at Ascot in January and I was really taken with his attitude, running down the front-running Casa Loupi despite not being fully wound up. He showed there that he has an aptitude for hurdling. Tritonic then went to Kempton for the Grade 2 Adonis and was extremely impressive in beating Casa Loupi by 10 lengths, really quickening after the last hurdle. The fact that there are only two hurdles in the last seven furlongs is no negative and I think the stiff finish will suit. It promises to be an intriguing race.”
Bet on the 1:20 JCB Triumph Hurdle at PaddyPower.com now
Friday 12:21pm | Here’s the top of the market
In the day’s opening race…
Bet on the 1:20 JCB Triumph Hurdle at PaddyPower.com now
Thursday 12:01pm | Bets for today?
Our Pundits Cheat Sheet for Friday is live here if you’re looking for a punt today, and we’ve once again scanned all the sources we can find for tips and put them in one place. Very useful.
And Ruby’s got his own one all to himself too cos, well, we just think he deserves it.
Our football quiz is live as well – just answer five questions and we’ll match you up with the perfect horse for the Gold Cup.
Questions
And if you’re new to Paddy Power you can have a £10 bet, so you’ve no excuse…
READ MORE
- Gold Cup Tips And Runners For Cheltenham Festival 2021’s Big Race
- Cheltenham tips: Ruby Walsh’s Cheat Sheet for all 4 days of the Festival
- Cheltenham tips: Our Championship races cheat sheet for the Festival
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