Bobs so brave to win Gold Cup

Last updated: 15th March 2013   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bobs so brave to win Gold Cup

Bobs Worth: Triumphant in the Gold Cup

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Bobs Worth ground out victory in a compelling renewal of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup under Barry Geraghty.

The 11/4 favourite, trained by Nicky Henderson, briefly lost his place on the run to the third-last fence, at which point Long Run, Sir Des Champs and Silviniaco Conti looked to have the race between them.

But Silviniaco Conti came down at that fence and gradually, as the climb up to the final two flights started to take its toll, Bobs Worth - despite being hampered by his rival's fall - steadily came back into contention.

Long Run (7/2), who had jumped better than ever in the early stages, produced another fine leap at two out as he tried to hold off his pursuers.

But he had no answer as stablemate Bobs Worth joined him on the run to the last fence and also forfeited second close home as Sir Des Champs (4/1) answered every call of substitute jockey Tony McCoy.

Credit must also go fourth-home The Giant Bolster, who might have finished even closer but for a bad blunder at the top of the hill.

At the line, Bobs Worth had seven lengths in hand over Sir Des Champs with a further two and three-quarters of a length back to 2011 winner Long Run.

"He just struggled in the soft ground most of the way," said Geraghty.

"I thought I was beaten with six to jump but he started to run on down the hill and I knew at the third last that I had a chance of getting them.

"He coped with the ground but he would really appreciate better going. He's such a brave horse that I was only ever really asking for 80 per cent as I knew there was more there when I really needed it."Unless Paul Nicholls has a phenomenal Grand National meeting, Henderson will now surely win the trainers' title for the first time since 1987.

He and Geraghty also shared the joy of Sprinter Sacre's immaculate Champion Chase victory.

"When I started in 1978, I was very lucky as Dad supported me, but I think he thought it was a very good way of blowing the family's dosh," he said.

"It all seems a long time ago now, and it's tougher now than ever.

"At the beginning, I was post-Michael Dickinson (who trained the first five home in the Gold Cup 30 years ago) and pre-Martin Pipe and there were a couple of years when there was room for someone.

"We've had some better horses in the last couple of years and of course I'd like to win the title. It would be great to get it, and I don't feel old. I've got a few years left.

"I've got the support of a fantastic team of people and the owners are the greatest mates. I can't tell you how much it means to them."

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