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Minella Indo makes history to win Cheltenham Gold Cup

Minella Indo has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in a history making performance for trainer Henry d...



Minella Indo makes history to...
Racing

Minella Indo makes history to win Cheltenham Gold Cup

Minella Indo has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in a history making performance for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

The 9/1 shot - with Jack Kennedy on the saddle - held off stablemate A Plus Tard by a couple of lengths.

For trainer Henry de Bromhead; his sixth winner of this year's festival sees him become the first trainer to win a Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup in a single festival.

De Bromhead's one-two was followed by the defending champion Al Boum Photo in third place, who had gone off as a 9/4 favourite, as he looked to become the first three-in-a-row champion since Best Mate in 2004.

He settled in the middle of the pack early on, alongside A Plus Tard under Rachael Blackmore, who was looking for her 7th winner of the week.

The big early surprise came in the form of Champ; last year's RSA Chase winner was strongly backed but never looked comfortable with his jumping and was pulled up after just a few fences. Things only got worse for trainer Nicky Henderson shortly after, when stablemate and last year's Gold Cup runner up Santini was also pulled up under the mount of Aidan Coleman.

With Frodon, Kemboy and Native River setting the pace, it was Minella Indo who joined Frodon at the front four fences out.

Both Al Boum Photo and A Plus Tard were just a few strides back however, and Rachael Blackmore made her move on A Plus Tard approaching the second last, joining Minella Indo at the front, as Frodon faded.

It was Minella Indo who led his stablemate by a length hitting the final fence, while Paul Townend and Al Boum Photo were still in with a chance in third.

But de Bromhead's pair stayed on up the hill, A Plus Tard trying everything to close in on Minella Indo, but it was to no avail.

In the end, Jack Kennedy's ride crossed the line to give him a 28th Grade 1 winner, making him a Gold Cup-winning jockey at just 22-years-old.

READ: JOHN DUGGAN'S CHELTENHAM CHARITY BETS - FRIDAY

READ: CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL | FRIDAY RACING TIPS | THOM'S TRIFECTA

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Read more about

A Plus Tard Al Boum Photo Champ Cheltenham Festival 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup Nicky Henderson Paul Townend Rachael Blackmore Willie Mullins