Cheltenham Festival: Gaelic Warrior wins Gold Cup for Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and Rich Ricci as The Jukebox Man only eighth

Gaelic Warrior stormed to Gold Cup glory at the Cheltenham Festival, but the race was somewhat overshadowed as Envoi Allen collapsed and died after crossing the finish line.

A sole runner for Willie Mullins in the most prestigious race on the National Hunt calendar, Gaelic Warrior the 11/4 joint-favourite was ridden by Paul Towend and shared his position at the head of the market with Nicky Henderson's Jango Baie.

Rebecca Curtis' Haiti Couleurs took up the running for Wales but faded turning for home, while Harry Redknapp's The Jukebox Man travelled well for a long way and might have had his owner dreaming before he too faded, as Gaelic Warrior swept ahead to win by eight lengths from Jango Baie.

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Inothewayurthinkin ran a big race in third in his attempt to defend this crown.

Winning his fifth Gold Cup after two wins each with Al Boum Photo and Galopin Des Champs, Mullins was quick to pay tribute to Townend: "He's such a cool jockey and a superb horse, it was a hell of a performance. Rich (Ricci, owner) has already won the Champion Hurdle this week and Paul won that and the Champion Chase, it's incredible.

"It was an extraordinary performance and I'm delighted for the Riccis, I think they are the first owners to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup in the same season.

"I'm delighted for Paul, he was so cool on him. Could you imagine what was going through his head going to the last fence, I can only tell you what was going through mine, but we won't talk about that now! We've had so many last-fence mishaps here.

"The way he did it was spectacular, very dominant. He can be keen, but Paul got everything right and the horse put in a tremendous round of jumping. When you pair that with his ability it's fantastic for owner and jockey."

Ricci owns the winner with his wife, Susannah, and, as Mullins alluded to, celebrated Champion Hurdle glory with Lossiemouth on Tuesday.

"I've been trying to win this race for 21 years, it's brilliant, magic. These people are so lovely to me," he said.

"It was a great ride by Paul. I haven't seen the race, but I've heard it was! It's been a great week, incredible, great racing, great winners, a good race today. I'm pleased for the horse. We try to buy Gold Cup winners, but we've never managed it before today.

"We've reached the mountain, but I love the game, it's kept me involved all these years, the passion of the people. They take me as they find me, I'm not the easiest man, I'm an American, I'm loud, obnoxious, this that and the other, but the people have been good to me and long may it last."

Envoi Allen dies after final race of glittering career

Envoi Allen collapsed and died after finishing ninth in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The 12-year-old was having the final start of his glittering career in the Cheltenham Festival highlight, with owners Cheveley Park Stud having confirmed he would retire following his run in the blue riband - his eighth appearance in all at the Festival.

Cheveley Park Stud director Richard Thompson said: "He was such an unbelievable horse.

"This was not the ending we wanted but unfortunately that is what has happened.

"He's been an incredible servant, wonderful over the years, and this is such a sad way to go.

"He's gone doing what he loves, he just retired at that moment. It's a tough one."

Envoi Allen won 10 Grade Ones in total, having started out with Gordon Elliott before moving to Henry de Bromhead.

Dinoblue defends Mares' Chase crown in style

Dinoblue again showed her toughness and reliability with a successful defence of her Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase crown.

Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Marsh Walsh for owner JP McManus, the chestnut was sent off the 11/8 favourite in the same race she won by eight-and-a-half lengths last year.

In the end victory was assured from some way out, with Dinoblue brushing aside the runner-up, Gavin Cromwell's Only By Night, with ease up the hill to cross the line a length and a quarter ahead. Panic Attack was third for Dan Skelton.

Apolon lands 50/1 shock in Triumph

Apolon De Charnie shocked the Cheltenham crowd with a 50/1 victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son Patrick, the four-year-old was aiming to keep the trophy in the Closutton stable after Poniros struck at 100/1 on what was his hurdling debut 12 months ago.

Though not quite as overlooked in the betting, the Edward Ware-owned gelding was still a surprise first head across the line, with 5/1 chance Maestro Conti behind him and Minella Study (7/1) in third.

Wilful wows for O'Neill team in County

British-trained runners filled the first five places as Wilful came come in front in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Jonjo and AJ O'Neill and ridden by Jonjo O'Neill Jr, the 14/1 victory was therefore a real family affair with the father and two sons combining.

In a busy field of 23, the seven-year-old led home Sticktotheplan, Joyeuse, Cracking Rhapsody and Sinnatra - all of whom are trained in Britain - to give the Jackdaws Castle stable a second winner of the week, after Johnnywho in the Ultima Handicap on Tuesday.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Cheltenham Festival: Gaelic Warrior wins Gold Cup for Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and Rich Ricci as The Jukebox Man only eighth