RACHAEL BLACKMORE has cemented her place as Queen of Cheltenham with victory in the Gold Cup.
Grand National winner Blackmore was second in the prestigious race last year in the Gold Cup and has gone one better in front of the returning punters this year.
All eyes were on Prestbury Park for one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar.
The Gold Cup is one of the richest races in Britain, with last year's winner Minella Indo scooping just over £260,000.
- 5.30pm concludes the Cheltenham Festival 2022
- TV/ live stream: ITV 1
- Get £40 in FREE BETS to spend with Paddy Power
CHELTENHAM FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – ALL THE LATEST DEALS FOR THE RACING THIS WEEK
Follow ALL of the latest updates from Gold Cup day right here…
- Craig Mahood
5.30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
The runners at the two and a half mile start.
- Craig Mahood
On the last
Sam Coltherd and Maid O'malley are fine after their fall in the last race.
Sam looked in a bit of trouble but he is up, talking and conscious which is great news.
- Craig Mahood
Mullins watch
You'd be brave to back against him in all honesty.
Just the two in the finale. Here's his thoughts:
Adamantly Chosen: He was very good at Thurles but probably lacks experience for this. He has a small chance.
Five O’clock was unlucky in this race two years ago. He hasn’t run since due to training difficulties which is not an ideal preparation. However, he has been in good form at home and we are looking for a big run.
- Craig Mahood
Final tip!
A winner in the penultimate for Matt Chapman.
Hopefully, we can end Cheltenham 2022 with a good winner.
Templegate: HOLLOW GAMES brings Grade 1 form to this handicap thanks to his good third behind Minella Cocooner at the Dublin Racing Festival. He was only run out of that classy contest late and he won a decent contest over this trip at Navan in November.
Matt: We end with the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle in which FIVE O’CLOCK (5.30) is the interesting one here for Jack Foley and Mullins. My hope was desperately unlucky when seventh in this in 2020 when he probably would have won but for nearly being brought down in the middle of the race.
- Craig Mahood
The Martin Pipe
A competitive race ahead. Here's how they bet:
Hollow Games 9/2
Langer Dan 5/1
Adamantly Chosen 6/1
Five O'Clock 8/1
Chemical Energy 10/1
Banbridge 11/1
Cobblers Dream, The Goffer 12/1
Freedom To Dream, Hes A Hardy Bloke 16/1
I A Connect 18/1
Decimation, Grand Dury, Party Business 20/1
Ilikedwayurthinkin 25/1
Au Fleuron 33/1
Quinta Do Mar, The Very Man 40/1
Herbiers 50/1
Lucky Max, Perfect Attitude 66/1
Silver Sheen 100/1
Bigz Belief 125/1
from Betfair
- Craig Mahood
Current scores
The Prestbury Cup might just be settled….
How's this for a scoreline though:
BRITAIN 10 WILLIE MULLINS 10
- Craig Mahood
The perfect 10
The Cheltenham maestro this week.
- Craig Mahood
Elimay wins the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
As good a finish as any this week.
Four in with a realistic chance over the last.
Mark Walsh punching out Elimay who – like Billaway – goes one better than last year.
- Craig Mahood
Elimay wins the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase
Mark Walsh in the saddle this time and another for Willie Mullins.
Pink Legend with another almighty run for a Venetia Williams mount, what a sensational week she has had.
Scarlet And Dove in a tight one with her for second.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Elimay just sticks her head out.
The line is coming with three of them within a length!
But ELIMAY – the bridesmaid last year – WINS THE MRS PADDY POWER MARES' CHASE!
- Craig Mahood
4.50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Maid O'malley down!
There's four in line at the last.
Pink Legend and Elimay just in front on the run-in!
Scarlet And Dove not far off.
Three in with a chance!
- Craig Mahood
4.50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Maid O'malley jumps into the lead over three out!
Elimay moves well but Concertista needs room.
Heading to two out.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Good jump from Zambella at the front. Elimay moving well in third.
Concertista with a bit of error and trails his legs through six out.
But doesn't halt momentum at the top of the hill.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Mount Ida not slick through the air and is a few lengths off the tail of the field.
Zambella two lengths clear going out on their final circuit.
The field separated by eight lengths.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Maid O'malley takes them along early with Zambella.
Concertista brings up the rear in the early stages.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
THEY'RE OFF!
17 fences ahead of the field.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase
Two miles and four furlongs ahead of them here.
And the eight runners are at the post for start time.
Eight runners perfect for an each way shout……
- Craig Mahood
Tip time!
It's the penultimate betting chance of the week at Cheltenham.
A difference of opinion between our tipster and our columnist. Will either be right?
Templegate: MOUNT IDA won the Kim Muir at last year’s Festival and has done well twice since, including when seeing off Elimay in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last time. She has jumped out to her right at times but that hasn’t stopped her winning here and Davy Russell is the ideal man to bring out the best in her.
Matt: A strong fancy here is last year’s runner-up ELIMAY for JP McManus, Mullins and Mark Walsh.The mare was back in winning form at Naas last time and I would have thought connections will be very disappointed if she doesn’t go one place better than 12 months ago.
- Craig Mahood
Mullins watch
I think we are all leaning towards a Mullins horse, aren't we?
He has won four of the five races so far – the only red mark being the Gold Cup.
He has two here and surprise surprise, they are the joint favourites. Here's his thoughts:
Concertista is still a novice but has the ability to win this, if not this year then next year. She loves this track and with a clear round could give Elimay something to think about.
Elimay showed how good she is when second to Colreevy last year and a repetition of that run could be good enough this time.
- Craig Mahood
Second to last
Two races left to go of the week!
How much more drama is left?
Here's the betting for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase.
Mount Ida 15/8
Elimay 2/1
Concertista 3/1
Zambella 11/1
Vienna Court 14/1
Scarlet And Dove 25/1
Pink Legend 33/1
Maid O'Malley 150/1
Betfair odds
- Craig Mahood
What a sight
Racing's Dream Team
- Craig Mahood
4.10 St James’ Place Challenge Cup
FULL RESULT
1st – Billaway 13/8F
2nd – Winged Leader 9/2
3rd – Mighty Stowaway 33/1
- Craig Mahood
BILLAWAY WINS THE ST JAMES'S
Leaving it late is an understatement!
Heading to the last and still comfortably behind.
The final fence jump after three miles of running was perfect, to land running.
Agony for the horse in front.
- Craig Mahood
BILLAWAY WINS THE ST JAMES'S
Sore one for the bookies….shame…..
Sensational from the Mullins horse to chin Winged Leader on the line.
Another favourite going in – and another Mullins winner!
- Craig Mahood
4.10 St James’ Place Challenge Cup
BILLAWAY DOES GET UP!
Incredible finish and he must have been a big price in running!
Source: Read Full Article
