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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Cheltenham Festival 2014, Day 4

A sell-out crowd of 67,000 was expected for the final day of Cheltenham 2014. We had live coverage of a dramatic final day.

IT’S CHELTENHAM GOLD Cup day and a sell-out crowd of 67,000 is expected at the fourth and final day of the Festival. How many of them will pick the winner though?

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts. E-mail niall@thescore.ie, tweet @thescore_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Results

1.30pm — JCB Triumph Hurdle: 1. Tiger Roll (10-1) 2. Kentucky Hyland (20-1) 3. Guitar Pete (7-1)

2.05pm — County Hurdle: 1. Lac Fontana (11-1) 2. Arctic Fire (7-1)3. Montbazon (20-1) 4. Diakali (25-1)

2.40pm — Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle: 1. Very Wood (33-1) 2. Deputy Dan (10-1) 3. Apache Jack (20-1)

3.20pm — Cheltenham Gold Cup: 1. Lord Windermere (20-1) 2. On His Own (16-1) 3. The Giant Bolster (14-1)

4.00pm — Foxhunter Chase: 1. Tammys Hill (15-2) 2. Carsonstown Boy (40-1) 3. On The Fringe (11-2)

4.40pm — Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle: 1. Don Poli (12-1) 2. Thomas Crapper (10-1) 3. Caid du Berlais (9-1) 4. Urbain de Sivola (33-1)

5.15pm — Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase: 1. Savello (16/1) 2. Ned Buntline (6/1JF) 3. Claret Cloak (6/1JF) 4. Next Sensation (7/1)

********************

Here we go again. It’s time for the fourth and final day of the 2014 Cheltenham Festival… I don’t know about you but we could certainly do with a few more winners here in TheScore.ie HQ.

Niall Kelly here again to take you through Friday’s card. The bookies struck a big blow when Annie Power was beaten in the World Hurdle yesterday so let’s hope the balance tips back in the punters’ favour to get the bank holiday weekend off to flyer.

Racing begins at 1.30pm.

Here’s today’s card:

  • 1.30pm – JCB Triumph Hurdle
  • 2.05pm – Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle
  • 2.40pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
  • 3.20pm – Cheltenham Gold Cup
  • 4.00pm – CGA Foxhunter Chase
  • 4.40pm – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
  • 5.15pm – Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase

The celebs (or “celebs”, depending on your point of view) are out in force today.

There’s Lily Allen

Lilly Allen arrives at Cheltenham Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Jeremy Clarkson and his wife Frances Cain

Jeremy Clarkson and wife Frances Cain Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

And Princess Anne

Princess Anne 14/3/2014 Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Of course the news ahead of this afternoon’s big race, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is that the Michael O’Leary-owned First Lieutenant will not run after he didn’t eat up this morning.

Should have had a bowl of porridge like me.

If you read my morning preview of today’s card you’ll know that I’ve a fancy for Tiger Roll in this first race, the Triumph Hurdle. He’s on the drift this morning, out from 8/1 to 11/1 on the course, but he looks the best of the Irish contenders to me on the basis of his second to Guitar Pete.

All the money is for Royal Irish Hussar. Nicky Henderson’s charge has been hammered from 7/1 into 11/2 while there’s also support for Broughton (6/1), Rutherglen (10/1) and the aforementioned Guitar Pete (7/1).

“What’s a hussar?” I hear you ask as you look through the market for this opening race.

It’s a cavalryman — you know, one of those army lads on a horse. You probably knew that though.

There has been some money coming in for Plinth, a rare Aidan O’Brien runner at the Festival. He’s in to 12/1 after opening at 18/1 this morning.

They’re down at the start and we’re just about ready to go.

They’re off in the Triumph!

Abyssial leads from Guitar Pete in the early stages. Plinth there too.

ABYSSIAL IS DOWN. Bad fall for Ruby Walsh who is on his knees. Brought down Adriana des Mottes too.

Still plenty of chances with four out. Barry Geraghty moves Royal Irish Hussar up to dispute the lead.

Four in a line — Guitar Pete, Kentucky Hyden, Guitar Pete and Royal Irish Hussar — with Tiger Roll tucked in behind. Top of the hill with two to jump.

Tiger Roll wins the Triumph!

Superb ride by Davy Russell who delivered Tiger Roll perfectly to win in the Gigginstown House Stud colours. I’d say he enjoyed that one!

Here’s that result in full:

1. Tiger Roll (10-1)

2. Kentucky Hyland (20-1)

3. Guitar Pete (7-1)

Winning owner Michael O’Leary: “It’s a big deal for everyone in Ireland. It’s Cheltenham.”

Clare Balding has also asked the Ryanair boss about his Gold Cup runner and the possibility that trainer Philip Fenton’s ongoing court case means that he won’t be too well received if he wins. O’Leary doesn’t seem too bothered.

We’ll have news on Ruby Walsh as soon as we get it. He left the track clutching his left wrist after that fall from Abbyssial.

Channel 4 report that Ruby Walsh has been taken to hospital with a arm injury. He’s out for the day and “may be out for some time,” Clare Balding says.

Horse Racing - 2014 Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Gold Cup Day - Cheltenham Racecourse Ruby Walsh taken to hospital after a crashing fall from Abbyssial in the first. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Horse Racing - 2014 Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Gold Cup Day - Cheltenham Racecourse Davy Russell: the happiest man in Cheltenham this afternoon! PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Just a couple of minutes to the off in the County Hurdle. We’ve a couple of jockey changes after Ruby’s injury — David Casey switches on to 8/1 shot Arctic Fire with Danny Mullins now on the other Mullins runner, top weight Diakali (33/1).

Here’s the market:

6/1 Cheltenian, 8/1 Arctic Fire, 11/1 Alaivan, 11/1 Never Enough, 11/1 Lac Fontana, 12/1 Minella Foru, 20/1 Bar

Mick Fitzgerald knows his horses and he’s sweet on Cheltenian.

They’re at the start. I’ll take the Tony Martin-trained Thomas Edison to run into a place in the JP McManus colours.

They’re off in the County Hurdle!

Strongpoint is up there as is Master of the Game. Four to jump.

To be honest, there’s a lot of them there. Cheltenian is there as is Master of the Game and Rainbow Peak.

Lac Fontana gets up on the line to beat Arctic Fire and win the County Hurdle.

Storming finish and Daryl Jacob — who was pipped on the line by Fingal Bay yesterday — has his first win of the week.

Great showing by the two Mullins runners to get up into a place. Here’s the result:

1. Lac Fontana (11-1)

2. Arctic Fire (7-1)

3. Montbazon (20-1)

4. Diakali (25-1)

That’s a first win of the week for Paul Nicholls as well. A good omen ahead of Silviniaco Conti’s ride in the Gold Cup later?

There’s JP. No Gold Cup contender for him this year but he does have the Nicky Henderson-trained Captain Cutter in the next here, the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Horse Racing - 2014 Cheltenham Festival -  Cheltenham Gold Cup Day - Cheltenham Racecourse PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Of course the well-backed favourite for this race is Briar Hill, last year’s Champion Bumper winner. Ruby Walsh was supposed to take this ride but after earlier reports that Paul Townend would pick up the spare, Channel 4 now say that it will be David Casey.

To describe Briar Hill as the banker of the Festival is a massive understatement. If you thought Annie Power getting beaten yesterday was big for the bookies, that’s small fry in comparison to the amount of money gone on Willie Mullins’ novice hurdler.

And they’re getting greedy on the rails too, pushing him out to 2/1 now that Ruby’s no longer on board.

Kings Palace looks to be by far and away the best of the home contenders here but there are 17 other horses going to post and one of the others has to at least run into a place.

Here’s the market:

2/1 Briar Hill, 11/4 Kings Palace, 7/1 Captain Cutter, 11/1 Deputy Dan, 14/1 Champagne West, 16/1 Bar

A delay at the start after Port Melon charges into a rail on the way down to the start and throws Daryl Jacob off his back.

Channel 4 reporting that the jockey is conscious and we’ll have further reports as we get them.

The start here has been delayed obviously. Daryl Jacob is still being treated.

Daryl Jacob is being stretchered from the course.

They’re off in the Albert Bartlett.

Kings Palace, Urban Hymn and The Job Is Right take the early lead.

Urban Hill leads from Kings Palace with The Job Is Right and Deputy Dan in behind. A long, long way to go.

Briar Hill settled in mid-division.

BRIAR HILL FALLS. THE BANKER IS OUT!

Wide open now. Kings Palace leads Urban Hill and Apache Jack. Three to jump.

Captain Cutter and AP McCoy close. Two out.

Deputy Dan moves up to challenge Kings Palace. Champagne West third.

Very Wood wins the County Hurdle!

What a win for Paul Carberry on the 33-1 shot… and ANOTHER winner for Gigginstown.

Here’s the result in full:

1. Very Wood (33-1)

2. Deputy Dan (10-1)

3. Apache Jack (20-1)

Daryl Jacob has been taken to hospital with a leg injury, Channel 4 report. It has been absolute bedlam already today… and the Gold Cup is still to come.

The horses are in the parade ring ahead of the Gold Cup. All of the money is coming for Bob’s Worth. He’s into a tiny 11/8 now.

Here they go for the parade, led by the defending champion and today’s favourite.

Here’s a look at the market:

11/8 Bobs Worth 11/4 Silviniaco Conti 8/1 Last Instalment 11/1 Triolo D’Alene 14/1 The Giant Bolster 20/1 Bar

Parade done and they’re heading down to the start.

Lots of great stories here. Can Bobs Worth defend his crown? Will AP McCoy turn the tables on Barry Geraghty and win on Nicky Henderson’s other runner Triolo D’Alene?

Can Silviniaco Conti stay standing for long enough to challenge?

Or will there be another big shock — maybe Lord Windermere to make Jim Culloty the fourth man to ride and train a Gold Cup winner?

FALSE START IN THE GOLD CUP!

Another false start…

THEY’RE OFF IN THE GOLD CUP!

Just the 22 fences to jump…

Knockara Beau leads from TeaforThree and On His Own over the early fences.

On His Own edges in front of TeaforThree. Last Instalment hovers close behind.

Lord Windermere is way out the back but there’s only 10 lengths first to last.

Last Instalment takes it up from Cloudy Too, On His Own and TeaforThree. Still 12 to jump. Bobs Worth settled nicely.

Silviniaco keeping Bobs Worth company in mid-division as they head away from the stands on their final circuit. Leaders unchanged.

They’re turning up the pace but it’s anyone’s race. LAST INSTALMENT GONE

Silviniaco moves up

Bobs Worth a bit flat but moves up into fifth. Silviniaco travelling well.

LORD WINDERMERE WINS THE GOLD CUP!

WHAT A DAY FOR DAVY RUSSELL!

The judge has called for a photo but it’s confirmed! Lord Windermere wins it from On His Own

There’s a stewards enquiry here…

Davy Russell is completely in shock here. “I can’t believe it.”

But we wait for the official result…

They’re checking the tape to see if there was interference. Lord Windermere and On His Own did come very close in the run-in but personally, I’m not sure if there’s enough there to reverse the result.

Jim Culloty is on Channel 4 now but he’s not saying much until the official result is confirmed.

This is how they crossed the finish line.

1. Lord Windermere (20-1) 2. On His Own (16-1) 3. The Giant Bolster (14-1)

Bobs Worth fifth, I think…

Davy Russell and Lord Windermere are led into the parade ring but still no word back from the stewards.

Betfair make him 1-3 to keep it, 3-1 On His Own to get it.

Russell, Casey and Scudamore are in the stewards room. We’re still waiting…

Tom Scu says there was interference from On His Own pushing across but admits it didn’t make any difference to his finish.

David Casey argues that he was in front just after the line and after being beaten by a short head, his finish was affected.

Davy Russell says there’s “no doubt”

RESULT CONFIRMED: LORD WINDERMERE WINS THE GOLD CUP!

Absolutely gripping TV there but the result is upheld.

Amazing sportsmanship from Graham Wylie, owner of On His Own, who says it’s great to finish second.

Here is your official Gold Cup result:

1. Lord Windermere (20-1)

2. On His Own (16-1)

3. The Giant Bolster (14-1)

The stewards explain that it was only deemed as “minor interference” and so didn’t affect the result.

They’re off in the Foxhunter Chase!

A quick look at the market:

5/1 Harbour Court 11/1 Oscar Delta 6/1 On The Fringe 15/2 Tammy’s Hill 8/1 Pearlysteps 9/1 Bar

The loose horse Ockey de Neulliac jumps out in front with Divine Intavention, That’s Rhythm and Made In Time in the lead.

Oscar Delta, the mount of Jane Mangan, is back in midfield.

Nine to jump, so a long way to go.

Carsonstown Boy takes it up from Made In Time and Tammys Hill. Four out…

TAMMYS HILL WINS THE FOXHUNTER.

Nina Carberry and On The Fringe came strong there over the final fence but Tammys Hill stayed on strong to win. Carsonstown Boy second with On The Fringe third.

It’s another Irish winner. JJ Smyth rides it for Liam Lennon!

Here’s your result:

1. Tammys Hill (15-2)

2. Carsonstown Boy (40-1)

3. On The Fringe (11-2)

That continues a superb Friday for the Irish who have won four out of five races so far, including the two features!

The runners are out on the track for the day’s penultimate race, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

We have 24 going to post and really, the only winners here are going to be the bookies. And the winner obviously.

The runners have tried to start when the starter isn’t even on the rostrum. A false start, I guess.

Here’s a quick look at the market:

9/2 Full Shift 5/1 Vieux Lion Rouge 9/1 Caid du Berlais 10/1 Thomas Crapper 11/1 The Skyfarmer 12/1 Don Poli 16/1 Bar

They’re off!

Vieux Lion Rouge starts off in second just behind The Disengager.

So as they run away from the stands, The Disengager is chased by Vieux Lion Rouge and Dolatulo. Full Shift not really travelling at the moment.

One Lucky Lady and Virak in close attention too.

Dolatulo leads over the third last. Vieux Lion Rouge pushed along.

Thomas Crapper picks it up after the second last. Dom Poli comes too.

Don Poli jumps the last ahead of Thomas Crapper.

DON POLI WINS THE MARTIN PIPE FOR WILLIE MULLINS & GIGGINSTOWN

A fifth Irish win of the day and a third for Gigginstown!

Here’s your result:

1. Don Poli (12-1)

2. Thomas Crapper (10-1)

3. Caid du Berlais (9-1)

4. Urbain de Sivola (33-1)

Great win for Mikey Fogarty and it seals the trainers’ championship for Willie Mullins.

Michael O’Leary says it’s like he has “died and gone to heaven.”

And the Gigginstown boss pays tribute to Davy Russell and says he’s “delighted” for the Gold Cup winning jockey.

Mikey Fogarty: “His jumping kept him in it. I was with Bryan Cooper in hospital the other night and he told me to just let [Don Poli] come for himself.”

Some cracking pictures from a phenomenal day… and we’re not quite done yet!

Davy Russell celebrates winning Davy Russell celebrates with the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Michael O'Leary and his wife Anita celebrate with Paul Carberry Michael O'Leary and his wife Anita celebrate with Paul Carberry. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

 

Horse Racing - 2014 Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Gold Cup Day - Cheltenham Racecourse Tammys Hill and connections celebrate their win in the Foxhunter PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Here’s the market ahead of the last:

13/2 Claret Cloak 7/1 Next Sensation 7/1 Mr Mole 15/2 Ned Buntline 8/1 Raya Star 12/1 Tanks for That 16/1 Bar

Paul Nicholls is speaking to Racing UK ahead of this final race. He’s just spoken to Daryl Jacob in hospital and says the Irish jockey has broken his knee, leg and elbow.

It’s the Lucky Last for punters and after a day of shocks, will we see another one?

Willie Mullins has already wrapped up the trainers’ championship but a win for either Barry Geraghty or Tom Scudamore would see them snatch the jockeys’ prize from Ruby Walsh at the very last.

They’re on Tanks for That (Geraghty) and His Excellency (Scudamore).

If you’re waiting for the Grand Annual to start, the delay is because Oscar Hill has taken off by himself and gone for a run. He’s withdrawn, eventually.

After a long delay, they’re off in the Grand Annual. Be lucky, folks.

Willie Mullins’ Passage Vendome falls at the first.

Next Sensation has absolutely bolted off at the front. He’s already 10 lengths clear.

Raya Star gone after two blunders. Next Sensation leads from Anquetta and Changing the Guard.

Next Sensation bounds over another fence 15 lengths clear.

Coming down the hill, Next Sensation still leads by a distance from Anquetta, Oiseau de Nuit and more.

SAVELLO GETS UP TO WIN ON THE LINE. ANOTHER FOR GIGGINSTOWN!

That’s a treble on the day for Davy Russell and a quite remarkable quadruple for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud.

Michael O’Leary jokes, “It just goes to show how easy it is to have a winner at Cheltenham.”

O’Leary: “Willie Mullins might be used to winning four here at Cheltenham, JP might be used to winning four, but I’m not.”

And for the last time this year, here is the result:

1. Savello (16/1)

2. Ned Buntline (6/1JF)

3. Claret Cloak (6/1JF)

4. Next Sensation (7/1)

Mark Walsh took a heavy fall from Competitiveedge in that last race and he’s been taken away in an ambulance, Racing UK report. More on that as we get it later.

That, sadly, is that for another year. A superb day for Ireland (six winners), Gigginstown (four winners), Davy Russell (three winners) and Jim Culloty with the winner that mattered — Lord Windermere in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Willie Mullins takes home the trainers’ championship again and despite spending most of the final day in hospital, Ruby Walsh’s three winners from earlier in the week are enough to secure the jockeys’ championship.

That’s it from us. Thank you all for reading and commenting over the last four days — hopefully you enjoyed the coverage as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you.

See you for Aintree in a few weeks!

TheScore.ie’s Morning Line: everything you need to enjoy day four at Cheltenham — and pick a winner

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