Cheltenham Festival 2022 LIVE: Gold Cup results, odds and updates as Rachael Blackmore wins on A Plus Tard

The finale of the Cheltenham Festival sees Minella Indo attempt to secure back-to-back victories in the Gold Cup while Rachael Blackmore leads the challengers on favoured horse A Plus Tard.

Despite a bright and sunny day three, the going is soft again after the heavy rain from Wednesday but conditions at the Greatest Show on Turf are close to perfect as the Festival comes to a close. The day’s action is headlined, of course, by the Gold Cup but there looks set to be exciting action in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and JCB Triumph Hurdle amongst others.

On day three Flooring Porter joined the illustrious list of horses who have won the Stayers’ Hurdle on more than one occasion with his second consecutive victory, while Alloha repeated the same feat in the Ryanair Chase, can Minella Indo match their performances in the Gold Cup today?

Jockey Robbie Power will believe so but he faces tough competition from Rachael Blackmore riding A Plus Tard and Davy Russell on the back of Galvin - both of which should set off with shorter odds than last year’s winner.

Follow for live updates, as well as tips, odds and results as the Cheltenham Festival concludes today:

Cheltenham Festival 2022

• State Man takes victory in the County Hurdle

• Vauban wins the first race of the day, the Triumph Hurdle

• Minella Indo chasing back-to-back Gold Cup wins

• Cheltenham Festival: Day four schedule

• Cheltenham Festival day four tips ahead of Gold Cup

Cheltenham Festival

15:38 , Michael Jones

Rachael Blackmore kicks A Plus Tard after Minella Indo and catches him as they leap over the last fence. A Plus Tard lands smoothly a nose ahead of last year’s champion. Can they get to the line?

Cheltenham Festival

15:37 , Michael Jones

Royale Pagaile joins Asterion Forlonge up at the top of the field but Minella Indo is making an early move with two fences to go.

Cheltenham Festival

15:35 , Michael Jones

Aye Right leads over the water jump with everyone moving into position behind him. Asterion Forlonge is running well alongside the leader.

A Plus Tard moves next to Minella Indowith Galvin just behind them.

Cheltenham Festival

15:34 , Michael Jones

The favourites make their moves towards the front of the field. Aye Right takes the lead as Asterion Forlonge drops into second. Santini is on the inside of Al Boum Photo with Minella Indo on the rail. Galvin is there or thereabouts as well. 10 fences to go yet.

Cheltenham Festival

15:32 , Michael Jones

Asterion Forlonge and Aye Right travel at the front with Santini tucked just in behind. The three leaders are two lengths ahead of Minella Indo and A Plus Tard.

Cheltenham Festival

15:31 , Michael Jones

Asterion Forlonge and Santini lead the way over the second hurdle with Minella Indo close to the rail. Tornado Flyer set off quickly but has dropped to the back of the field.

Cheltenham Festival

15:29 , Michael Jones

Minella Indo has drifted out to 13/2 after three defeats. He run better last time and knows how to win this race so is in with a shout.

A Plus Tard is going to set off with the favourite mark at 11/4. Galvin comes in at 10/3, with Al Boum Photo joining Minella Indo at 13/2.

Who’s going to win the Gold Cup?

Cheltenham Festival

15:24 , Michael Jones

The horses are out in the parade ring just before they head onto the course. Rachael Blackmore said at the start of the day that she has unfinished business in the Gold Cup after coming second with A Plus Tard last year.

Can she go on to win it this time around?

Cheltenham Festival

15:19 , Michael Jones

Two-time champion Al Boum Photo is looking to become the first horse to regain his title since Kauto Star in 2009, and the first triple victor since Best Mate 18 years ago.

If Rachael Blackmore wins on A Plus Tard she’ll become the first female jockey to win the Gold Cup.

Cheltenham Festival

15:15 , Michael Jones

3.30pm - Cheltenham Gold Cup

A Plus Tard 5/2

Galvin 7/2

Minella Indo 11/2

Al Boum Photo 13/2

Tornado Flyer 10/1

Protektorat 12/1

Chantry House, Royale Pagaille 16/1

Asterion Forlonge 22/1

Santini 40/1

Aye Right 80/1

*Latest odds via Betfair

Cheltenham Festival

15:12 , Michael Jones

The next race is the big one. The Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase. 10 horses run in this one with the reigning champion Minella Indo amongst them.

The Rachael Blackmore ridden A Plus Tard is heavily backed though with Davy Russell on the back of Galvin the closest rival.

Cheltenham Festival

15:09 , Michael Jones

Ginto, trained by Gordon Elliott, was well set and in contention but suffered a bad injury towards the end of the race and there hasn’t yet been an update on his condition.

Cheltenham Festival

15:05 , Michael Jones

Jockey Sean O’Keeffe will be delighted with that run from The Nice Guy, it’s another win for trainer Willie Mullins too. He’s three from three for the day!

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle results

15:02 , Michael Jones

1st: The Nice Guy 18/1

2nd: Minella Cocooner 9/2

3rd: Bardenstown Lad 20/1

4th: Ballygrifincottage 28/1

THE NICE GUY WINS THE ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE!

15:00 , Michael Jones

Cheltenham Festival

15:00 , Michael Jones

Ginto stumbles on the run to the last. The Nice Guy follows Minella Cocooner and Brorson over the final fence and travels up to the hill. Bardenstown Lad kicks on strongly as well.

This is going to be a sprint up the hill, can Minella Cocooner hold on?

Cheltenham Festival

14:57 , Michael Jones

Hillcrest has pulled up! So, too has Classic Getaway which hit a hurdle awkwardly and dropped back. Minella Cocooner leads on the turn for home. Ginto and Brorson trail behind him with The Nice Guy running well.

Cheltenham Festival

14:56 , Michael Jones

Minella Cocooner trails Classic Getaway and Stag Horn in the front quartet with Brorson. Bardenstown Lad has fallen away but Ginto is making up ground with a move into fourth.

Cheltenham Festival

14:54 , Michael Jones

Bardenstown Lad, Classic Getaway, Stag Horn and Minella Cocooner make their way to the front of the field at a fairly quick pace. Hillcrest is positioned in the middle of the pack and isn’t jumping brilliantly as they make it over the fourth.

Cheltenham Festival

14:52 , Michael Jones

After a false start, they’re underway!

Cheltenham Festival

14:50 , Michael Jones

16 horses run in this one and head out onto the course for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. This has been a race for outsiders in the past but can the favourites claim the victory today.

Ginto and Hillcrest are tied at 9/4 as they make their way to the start.

Cheltenham Festival

14:45 , Michael Jones

Ginto is being well back on the course and with three wins in his last three outings could be a contender against Hillcrest. Gordon Elliott is his trainer and Jack Kennedy has good memories around Cheltenham.

Definitely one to watch at 5/2.

Cheltenham Festival

14:43 , Michael Jones

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle was won by Rachael Blackmore and Minella Indo in 2019 at 50-1 for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

De Bromhead and Blackmore combine again with Shantreusse, who has shown plenty of improvement this season and could challenge at a decent price of 12/1.

The 2/1 favourite is Hillcrest though. He is unbeaten in his completed hurdle races with his only stumble coming here at Cheltenham in January when he uneasted his rider.

Since then he’s recorded a win at Haydock and looks promising for trainer Henry Daly and jockey Richard Patrick.

Cheltenham Festival

14:40 , Michael Jones

2.50pm - Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Hillcrest 5/2

Ginto 3/1

Minella Cocooner 8/1

Shantreusse, Good Time Jonny 20/1

The Nice Guy 21/1

Stag Horn 22/1

Barnestown Lad 25/1

Classic Getaway, Ballygrifincottage 30/1

Eric Bloodaxe 50/1

Ramillies 55/1

Green Brook 66/1

Mahler Mission 90/1

Idas Boy 120/1

Brorson 240/1

Where It All Began 300/1

*Latest odds via SBK

Cheltenham Festival

14:34 , Michael Jones

Paul Townend is cruising ahead of the rest of the jockeys this week. He’s won five races, had two seconds and a third placed finish. Nico de Boinville is closest to him with two wins, two seconds and one third.

Irish trainer Willie Mullins, meanwhile, has seven wins.

Cheltenham Festival

14:29 , Michael Jones

Not long to go until the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Paul Townend made it five wins for the Festival with that ride on State Man.

14:24 , Michael Jones

A great finish from State Man to make it a winning double for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins.

McCoy Contractors County Hurdle results

14:21 , Michael Jones

1st: State Man 11/4

2nd: First Street 16/1

3rd: Colonel Mustard 13/2

4th: West Cork 13/2

5th: Ballyadam 50/1

STATE MAN WINS THE COUNTY HURDLE!

14:19 , Michael Jones

Cheltenham Festival

14:19 , Michael Jones

Eclair De Beaufeu has the lead heading to the last. Colonel Mustard and State Man make their move through the field and reign in Stepney Causeway and I Like To Move It.

They leap the last and Elcair De Beaufeu falls away. Paul Townend kicks State Man on and he’s opening up a gap in front of Colonel Mustard.

Cheltenham Festival

14:17 , Michael Jones

Stepney Causeway, I Like To Move It and Eclair De Beaufeu have formed a little way in front of the rest of the field as they approach the third home home. My Mate Mozzie and State Man lead the rest of the pack and move them back in touch with the leaders.

Cheltenham Festival

14:14 , Michael Jones

A late move for West Cork has pushed him up to 13/2 as they get underway in the County Hurdle. Stepney Causeway leads early on but is closely followed by State Man. My Mate Mozzie is up there with the leaders as well as they approach the first.

Cheltenham Festival

14:11 , Michael Jones

The County Hurdle is up next. State Man is the 11/4 favourite as the horses make their way to the post. Behind him are Colonel Mustard at 13/2 and I Like To Move It at 8/1.

Cheltenham Festival

14:04 , Michael Jones

Vauban wins the Triumph Hurdle to open Gold Cup day at Cheltenham.

Cheltenham Festival

13:59 , Michael Jones

26 horses go out to the post with Paul Townend and Willie Mullins on the well-fancied State Man. But with a field this big anyone is in contention.

Suprise Package won last Saturday’s Imperial Cup at Sandown and is in the bidding for a double for trainer Peter Fahey with Kevin Sexton taking the ride this time.

Top Bandit has won his last three outings including at Cheltenham in October and father and son Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies combine with I Like To Move It.

Cheltenham Festival

13:54 , Michael Jones

2.10 McCoy Contractors County Hurdle

State Man 3/1

Colonel Mustard 7/1

West Cork 8/1

I Like To Move It, Surprise Package 10/1

Top Bandit 12/1

Broomfield Burg 16/1

First Street 18/1

Jesse Evans, My Mate Mozzie, Tax For Max 20/1

Gua Du Large 22/1

Tempo Chapter Two 25/1

Cormier, Tritonic 30/1

Farout 33/1

Eclair De Beaufeu, Faivoir 40/1

Ballyadam, Bua Boy, Call My Lyreen, Irascible, Stepney Causeway 50/1

Cask Mate, Dysart Diamond, Felix Desjy 66/1

*Latest odds from Betfair

Cheltenham Festival

13:49 , Michael Jones

Despite a mistake on the last hurdle, Paul Townend and Vauban won the race with a decent lead. Owner Rich Ricci spoke about him after the race saying:

“I didn’t watch it. I watched last hurdle actually and he flattened it. When Paul asked him to go he had so much pace left.

“He is a proper little taxi. He is a lovely horse. He’s got some engine and I am delighted with that.”

How Vauban won it

13:45 , Michael Jones

Vauban belted up the hill after the final hurdle and eased to victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

JCB Triumph Hurdle results

13:41 , Michael Jones

1st: Vauban 6/4

2nd: Fil Dor 11/2

3rd: Pied Piper 7/2

4th: Icare Allen 10/1

Cheltenham Festival

13:40 , Michael Jones

It was a comfortable victory in the end for Paul Townend and Vauban. Trainer Willie Mullins has the first win of the day. He’s got some cracking horses still to come so it could turn into a good day for the Irish trainer.

VAUBAN WINS THE JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE!

13:38 , Michael Jones

Cheltenham Festival

13:38 , Michael Jones

Vauban doesn’t jump it well and stumbles on the exit but he recovers and kicks on in front of Pied Piper. Fil Dor sticks with them up the hill but Vauban opens up a lead.

Cheltenham Festival

13:36 , Michael Jones

Vauban makes a move on the outside with Pied Piper just inside him. They move past Porticello but face competition from Fil Dor who is hanging in well as they approach the last jump.

Cheltenham Festival

13:35 , Michael Jones

At the back of the field Ages of Man is falling away as they approach the final three fences. Porticello still has the lead over Fil Dor but the rest of the pack has closed the gap. Vauban hovers in fourth with Pied Piper moving up the field.

Cheltenham Festival

13:34 , Michael Jones

Porticello and Fil Dor head towards the second fence with a two length lead over Icare Allen and Vauban. They all make is over the hurdle and the two leaders continue to open up their lead.

Cheltenham Festival

13:32 , Michael Jones

The JCB Triumph Hurdle kicks off the final day of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. The horses head to the tape and they’re off! Porticello takes an uncontested lead to the first hurdle.

Cheltenham Festival

13:28 , Michael Jones

Vauban heads onto the course as the 13/8 favourite with Pied Piper his nearest rival at 3/1. 12 horses run in the opening race of the day.

Knight Salute is a potential outside contender at 16/1.

1.30pm - JCB Triumph Hurdle

13:25 , Michael Jones

The opening race looks set to be another winning race for the Irish with Willie Mullins’ Vauban and Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper the two leading fancies.

Pied Piper, who will be ridden by Jack Kennedy, took the honours at Punchestown on the last day of 2021 but Vauban, ridden by Paul Townend, improved for that run.

He was impressive when winning the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last month for a first Grade 1 win.

Cheltenham Festival

13:23 , Michael Jones

Yesterday’s crowd of 73,754 was the largest ever recorded at Cheltenham, beating the previous high of 71,816 (Friday in 2019).

Cheltenham Festival: Gold Cup day schedule

13:21 , Michael Jones

It’s almost time for the last day of the Cheltenham Festival to get underway. Here’s what we’ve got to look forward on Gold Cup day:

1.30pm - JCB Triumph Hurdle 2m 179y

2.10pm - McCoy Contractors County Hurdle 2m 179y

2.50pm - Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle - 2m 7f 213y

3.30pm - Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase 3m 2f 70y

4.10pm - St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase 3m 2f 70y

4.50pm - Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase 2m 4f 127y

5.30pm - Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 56y

Cheltenham Festival: Gold Cup odds

13:18 , Michael Jones

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase - 3.30pm

• A Plus Tard 11/4

• Galvin 10/3

• Minella Indo 11/2

• Al Boum Photo 15/2

• Tornado Flyer 11/1

• Protektorat 12/1

• Chantry House 14/1

• Royale Pagaille 16/1

• Asterion Forlonge 22/1

• Santini 40/1

*Odds via Betfair

Cheltenham Festival: Day four odds

13:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle - 2.50pm

• Hillcrest 2/1

• Ginto 3/1

• Minella Cocooner 10/1

• Shantreusse 11/1

• The Nice Guy 11/1

• Bardenstown Lad 16/1

• Good Time Jonny 18/1

• Stag Horn 20/1

• Classic Getway 22/1

*Odds via Betfair

Cheltenham Festival: Day four odds

13:10 , Jamie Braidwood

McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle - 2.10pm

• State Man 3/1

• Colonel Mustard 7/1

• West Cork 8/1

• I Like to Move It 10/1

• Surprise Package 10/1

• Top Bandit 12/1

• Broomfield Burg 16/1

• First Street 18/1

• Jesse Evans 20/1

• My Mate Mozzie 20/1

Cheltenham Festival: Day four odds

13:05 , Jamie Braidwood

JCB Triumph Hurdle - 1.30pm

• Vauban 7/4

• Pied Piper 11/4

• Fil Dor 7/1

• Il Etait Tempts 11/1

• Icare Allen, Knight Salute 14/1

• Porticello 16/1

• Doctor Parnassus 18/1

• Teddy Blue 25/1

• Lunar Power 66/1

• Ages Of Man, Koi Dodville 200/1

*Odds via Betfair

Cheltenham Festival: Day four tips

13:00 , Nick Robson

CHELTENHAM:

• 1.30 Pied Piper

• 2.10 Top Bandit

• 2.50 Shantreusse

• 3.30 A Plus Tard

• 4.10 Winged Leader

• 4.50 Mount Ida

• 5.30 I A CONNECT (NAP)

Cheltenham Festival: Day four tips

12:50 , Nick Robson

St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase - 4.10pm

Billaway aims to make it third time lucky in the St. James’s Place FestivalGord Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase, but he is perhaps better when the mud is flying.

The two years younger Winged Leader beat him easy on decent ground early in the season and can confirm the form for David Christie.

Cheltenham Festival: Day four tips

12:35 , Nick Robson

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle - 5.30pm

The Cullentra Team could also end the meeting on a high with I A Connect in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

Fergus Gregory, attached to Olly Murphy who has a close relationship with Elliott, was booked some time ago and his victory over Imperial Cup winner Surprise Package last time out now looks incredibly strong form.

Cheltenham Festival: Day four tips

12:20 , Nick Robson

Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase - 4.50pm

There is little between Willie Mullins’ Elimay and Gordon Elliott’s Mount Ida on official ratings and there was only half a length separating them when they last met.

Mount Ida came out on top that day, and she is 3lb better off here on ground that should suit at a track she is already proven on, making her hard to beat in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.

Cheltenham Festival: Day four tips

12:05 , Nick Robson

McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle - 2.10pm

Gordon Elliott can also strike with Top Bandit in the McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old has been put away since winning three of his four starts over hurdles before Christmas - but he also had five bumpers to gain experience.

As is his wont, Elliott sent him over for an early sighter of Cheltenham in October, where he proved decent ground will be no issue. He looks the stable’s main hope in this.

There is little between Mullins’ Elimay and Elliott’s Mount Ida on official ratings and there was only half a length separating them when they last met.

Cheltenham Festival: Day four tips

11:50 , Nick Robson

JCB Triumph Hurdle - 1.30pm

Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper can make his course experience pay in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Rarely do you see Grade Two fields dismissed with such disdain as when Pied Piper strolled to a nine-length victory on Trials Day.

He had already beaten Willie Mullins’ Vauban the day they both made their debut and while Mullins stressed how much Vauban would improve for the run, the same could be said of Pied Piper.

Trained by John Gosden on the Flat, he reached a mark of 96 and although Vauban was a Listed winner in France, Pied Piper has far more experience.

Cheltenham Festival: Day four tips

11:25 , Nick Robson

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle - 2.50pm

It could be another red-letter day at Prestbury Park for De Bromhead as his Shantreusse looks a real player in the Albert Bartlett.

This was the race Minella Indo caused a 50-1 shock in a few years ago when he was a virtual unknown outside De Bromhead’s yard, and Shantreusse has a similar profile in that he is already crying out for fences.

He is also more than useful over hurdles and despite winning in heavy ground the last twice, it may just be that he actually improves for better ground - which will surely be against Hillcrest.

Cheltenham Festival: Day four tips

11:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase - 3.30pm

A Plus Tard can defy the statistics and provide Henry de Bromhead with back-to-back wins in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Second to stablemate Minella Indo 12 months ago, plenty felt he just did not quite get up the hill.

However, considering he had a dual Gold Cup winner in Al Boum Photo behind in third, that is a very harsh view to take.

Quite simply, Minella Indo was the better horse on the day but since then he has been beaten at Down Royal, pulled up in the King George and been beaten over six lengths by Conflated in the Irish Gold Cup, suggesting winning the blue riband has left its mark.

Meanwhile A Plus Tard waltzed to victory in the Betfair Chase on his reappearance and while holes can be picked in that form, he probably should have won the Savills Chase too but he was mugged on the line by Galvin.

The general view is the stiffer stamina test at Cheltenham will play even more to Galvin’s strengths, and he did win the National Hunt Chase after all. But nine times out of 10 Rachael Blackmore would have been a bit more patient in the Savills and she would probably admit she kicked for home a bit soon.

Proper spring ground will definitely be in his favour, less so Galvin, and the horse himself will have no idea that those who are beaten on their first run in a Gold Cup have a wretched record when trying to win it second time around.

King George winner Tornado Flyer once again looks a big price and can hit the frame.

Cheltenham Festival: Day four schedule

11:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Day Four: Cheltenham Gold Cup - Friday 18th March

• JCB Triumph Hurdle - 1.30pm

• McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle - 2.10pm

• Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle - 2.50pm

• Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase - 3.30pm

• St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase - 4.10pm

• Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase - 4.50pm

• Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle - 5.30pm

Good Morning

10:52 , Jamie Braidwood

Good morning and welcome to day four of the Cheltenham Festival, as Minella Indo attempt to secure back-to-back victories in the Gold Cup while Rachael Blackmore leads the challengers on favoured horse A Plus Tard.

Despite a bright and sunny day three, the going is soft again after the heavy rain from Wednesday but conditions at the Greatest Show on Turf are close to perfect as the Festival comes to a close. The day’s action is headlined, of course, by the Gold Cup but there looks set to be exciting action in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and JCB Triumph Hurdle amongst others.

On day three Flooring Porter joined the illustrious list of horses who have won the Stayers’ Hurdle on more than one occasion with his second consecutive victory, while Alloha repeated the same feat in the Ryanair Chase, can Minella Indo match their performances in the Gold Cup today?

Jockey Robbie Power will believe so but he faces tough competition from Rachael Blackmore riding A Plus Tard and Davy Russell on the back of Galvin - both of which should set off with shorter odds than last year’s winner.