Friday 13 March 2015 19:47, UK
Coneygree produced an incredible front-running performance to become the first novice to win the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup since 1974.
The eight-year-old, running for only the fourth time over fences, jumped beautifully under the inexperienced Nico de Boinville and had enough in hand to beat Djakadam and Road To Riches.
De Boinville’s biggest job on Mark Bradstock’s stable star was getting to the front, with On His Own and Road To Riches keen to be prominent as well, with a fierce pace ensuing.
But after a quick first half-mile, de Boinville was able to settle Coneygree into a much more sensible pace in front, and his jumping was scintillating at times as he kept his rivals at a safe distance.
Djakadam travelled beautifully in behind for Ruby Walsh and looked to be the main danger coming into the last mile, with last year's winner Lord Windermere and Bobs Worth among the first to be beaten.
But de Boinville continued to get some prodigious leaps from Coneygree, who was clever at the fences when he needed to be, and favourite Silviniaco Conti and well-fancied Many Clouds were among those who cried enough before the third last.
Coneygree led by a couple of lengths two out and was still clinging on at the last, but even though he drifted towards the stands side on the run-in, and was clearly tired, he was able to see it out by a length-and-a-half from Djakadam, with Road To Riches a similar distance back in third.
Holywell, who threatened to be a danger off the home turn, faded into a distant fourth with the remainder of the field trailing home at wide intervals led by On His Own.
Among the last to finish was Carlingford Lough, who seemingly failed to handle the rain-softened ground as AP McCoy looked for a third Gold Cup winner on his final ride in the race.
Bradstock, who trains a small string near Wantage, said: "I'm numb, it's wonderful. It won't sink in for a while, but it's great.
"We've done it before in smaller races and we'll still keep doing it, but it's fantastic to do it on the big stage. I can't remember where I watched it as I'm not very good at watching races.
"The decision was very tricky because the weather forecast was so up and down and obviously we were liaising very closely with Simon Claisse (clerk of the course) and walking the course. But we made the right decision.
"He's a gorgeous horse and it's so tragic that Sara's dad (Lord Oaksey) wasn't here today to see it."
De Boinville, celebrating easily the biggest win of his career, said: "It's the best feeling ever, I'm lost for words. I never thought they shouldn't have run in this, it was a great plan.
"The weather gods were looking down on us and the ground was ideal.
"He's so deceptive, even when he gets in tight he's brilliant, it's all thanks to the Bradstock family, it's a great family effort.
"I must thank the owners and the Bradstocks for keeping the faith in me. These horses only come once in a lifetime."
Sara Bradstock, wife of the winning trainer and daughter of the late Lord Oaksey, who bred Coneygree, said: "He (Lord Oaksey) is not here, but he's here in spirit.
"I'd been saying to people, when we win the Gold Cup we'll win the lottery, it's that amazing. It's only his fourth run over fences, but he had so much time off and he's wise in his own way."
