Horse Racing. Gold Cup as it happened

1. So, Ireland finish ahead of Great Britain by the narrowest margin, with horses trained on the other side of the Irish Sea winning 14 of the 27 races.

   Willie Mullins finishes as top trainer with five wins, with Ruby Walsh as top jockey after four victorious rides.

   Cheltenham 2013 has been thrilling, dispiriting, but always engrossing. Thanks for your company over the past four days, I'm off for a restoring bucket of oats.
2. 1728: 

   John Hunt, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator at Cheltenham

   "I think, as ever, the class of the field in the whole meeting is my abiding memory. Also, the enthusiasm of the spectators is always incredible."
3.  

   GET INVOLVED

   David Sells: "An Alderwood win - good end to the day."
4. 1727: 

   GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE

   The fence that was scheduled to be the last in the Grand Annual Chase Challenge was skipped by the field after Wayne Hutchinson and Kubeshwar suffered a heavy fall at that flight.

   Thankfully both horse and rider look to be ok.
5.  

   BBC Sport's Frank Keogh at Cheltenham

   "Ireland 14-13 GB. Historic win for the Irish. AP McCoy completes final-day double on Alderwood in a 1-2 for JP McManus."
6.  

   Peter Scudamore, eight-time champion jockey at Cheltenham for BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

   "There were 23 runners to negotiate through for AP McCoy. It was like the Red Sea opening up for him, and to do it on the inside is a tremendous skill.

   "Cheltenham keeps turning and you can get stopped on the points unless you have the skill to get out of them."
7. 1723: 

   GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE RESULTS

   1. Alderwood A P McCoy 3-1 Fav

   2. Kid Cassidy Jeremiah McGrath 12-1

   3. Oiseau de Nuit Brendan Powell 33-1

   4. Drumshambo Aidan Coleman 20-1
8. 1720: 

   ALDERWOOD WINS THE GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE

   It was the two JP McManus-owned horses, Alderwood and Kid Cassidy, who duked it out up the hill. It was the former, trained by Thomas Mullins, who comes through to give Ireland their 14th win of the Festival and AP McCoy his second.
9. 1719: 

   GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE

   Kid Cassidy leads into the closing stages, but there is plenty of pressure from Alderwood.
10. 1719: 

    GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE

    His Excellency falls four from home.
11. 1718: 

    GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE

    Petit Robin and King Edmund are both well-placed. Alderwood is creeping up through the field.
12. 1716: 

    GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE

    Stagecoach Pearl takes on the early pace and it as brisk as expected.
13.  

    Peter Scudamore, eight-time champion jockey at Cheltenham for BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    "It will be fast and furious out there. Alderwood has improved over fences and Viva Colonia is also one to look out for."
14. 1715: 

    GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE

    With the scores between Great Britain and Ireland's trainers tied at 13 wins apiece, Alderwood, who won the County Hurdle last year and is under the tutelage of Willie Mullins, might be the Emerald Isle's best hope of winning the decider.
15. 1713: 

    GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE

    After trainer David Pipe missed out on the race named after his father, Nicky Henderson will try and keep this one in the family. He has five runners attempting to deliver for him.

    The leading contender is Kid Cassidy who went off as favourite last year and finished 12th, but might stand more of a chance with 2lbs less on his back.
16. 1708: 

    GRAND ANNUAL CHASE CHALLENGE

    We are at the final race of the four day's racing. It is a second handicap, just a touch over two miles: the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup.
17.  

    Cornelius Lysaght, on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra at Cheltenham

    "This year's Cheltenham Festival has ticked every box, but not every box you want to see ticked. The drama with JT McNamara was horrible to see.

    "We had that to deal with, but we also had the highest class jump racing in the world to take in. Hurricane Fly sticks in the mind, Sprinter Sacre obviously, and from today, we had some great performances from youth.

    "In terms of hurdling, the horse I will be writing in my calendar is Our Conor. He is a Champion Hurdler in the making."
18. 1657: 

    MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL

    That emotional win for Paul Nicholls was made more pertinent as jockey Harry Derham is the trainer's young nephew. Derham was also a winner as a 17-year-old at Cheltenham, aboard Brampour in November 2011.
19.  

    BBC Sport's Frank Keogh at Cheltenham

    "26 races in and champion trainer Paul Nicholls off the mark, after some tough luck at 2013 Cheltenham Festival."
20.  

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Trainer Paul Nicholls after his first win of this Cheltenham Festival meet: "It has been a hard old time. That is one for Dominic [Baker, son of Nicholls' head lad Clifford, who died in a car crash earlier this month] after he died.

    "We have had to cope with a bad week and a funeral next week, that one is for Dominic.

    "I thought the ground was too soft for him so I told jockey Harry Derham to hold back and he gave it an absolute peach."
21. 1651: 

    MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL RESULT

    1. Salubrious Harry Derham 16-1

    2. Nagpur Tom Cannon 33-1

    3. Double Ross Adam Wedge 14-1

    4. Make Your Mark D G Lavery 8-1
22. 1646: 

    SALUBRIOUS WINS THE MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL

    

    Paul Nicholls finally has his Festival winner for the year. Salubrious, with Harry Derham on board, came through wide and fast to overhaul Double Ross.
23. 1645: 

    MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL

    With two to jump, Gevrey Chambertin looks to be fading out of contention.
24. 1642: 

    MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL

    Double Ross makes the early pace. Edeymi could be one to watch after making a return to form when he finished strongly to take second in the Fred Winter.
25. 1641: 

    MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL

    They are away first time.
26. 1640: 

    MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL

    Should Gevrey Chambertin come home for him, it will be the first time that trainer David Pipe will have won the race named after his father.
27. 1638: 

    MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL

    Gevrey Chambertin, with three wins in his last three outings, leads the market at 11-4. He is the brother of 2011 world Hurdle runner-up and looks like he shares plenty of his quality.
28.  

    GET INVOLVED

    Daniel Cocks-Moran: "No sympathy for Jane Mangan as the horse is clearing being ridden into the rails! She'll be popular with the punters!"
29. 1636: 

    That win for Salsify equals the record of 13 Irish-trained winners that was set back in 2011. Two more races to beat that mark; first of all the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle.
30.  

    GET INVOLVED

    Matt on text via 81111: "Cheers Michael Owen, a very profitable afternoon thanks to your Bobs Worth prediction!"
31. 1629: 

    It is not just the form of the horses that has been affected by the day's rain. Some of the spectators are finding the conditions trickier to negotiate than they were earlier in the week.

    
32. 1625: 

    BBC COVERAGE

    If you missed the Gold Cup shake-down, BBC Sport's Frank Keogh's report on Bobs Worth's win is fresh off the internet presses and up on the site.

    Over on the wireless we have switched from Radio 5 live to 5 live sports extrawhere there will be coverage of the final two races of the meeting.
33.  

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Salisfy jockey Colm Sweeney on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "One thing I will say is that he rallied last time when he was dead. But I feel for Jane.

    "He stays well and I probably gave him too much to do. He was good for me and he is brave as they come."
34.  

    Luke Harvey, ex-National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra at Cheltenham

    

    "They were travelling at 23mph and when you suddenly drop down to 5mph you have no chance of staying onboard.

    "I would be the first to be critical if she had done something wrong, but she rode the horse beautifully."
35. 1615: 

    FOXHUNTER CHASE RESULT

    1. Salsify Mr C J Sweeney 2-1 Fav

    2. Divine Intavention Mr M Wall 50-1

    3. Cottage Oak Mr P Gerety 9-1

    4. Doctor Kingsley Mr P Mann 40-1
36.  

    Luke Harvey, ex-National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra at Cheltenham

    "You know what happened, the horse half-thought he had to go round again but he then collided with the rail.

    "Your heart goes out to her there."
37.  

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Unseated Oscar Delta rider Miss Jane Mangan on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "I felt like I had the race won. This is a nightmare."
38. 1610: 

    SALSIFY WINS THE FOXHUNTER CHASE

    

    Late drama down the home straight. We seemed set for a straight slug-out between Salisfy and Oscar Delta, but Jane Mangan, on board the latter, is suddenly dumped out of the side door as her mount jinks to avoid a post that wasn't really there. Kind of like a horizontal Devon Loch.
39.  

    Luke Harvey, ex-National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra at Cheltenham

    "This will be the ride of the meeting if Colm Sweeney comes up from the back on Salsify."
40. 1609: 

    FOXHUNTER CHASE

    Oscar Delta leads with two to jump but Salsify is emerging from the mash behind him.
41.  

    Luke Harvey, ex-National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra at Cheltenham

    "Salsify is going well but he has a lot of ground to make up."
42. 1608: 

    FOXHUNTER CHASE

    Salisfy is moving his way up through the field, but there are plenty of runners for him to tick off the list as he settles into tenth.
43.  

    GET INVOLVED

    Joe Confrey: "Just missed out on a peach of a tricast. Had the Bolster in third. Bring on next year!!!"
44.  

    Luke Harvey, ex-National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra at Cheltenham

    "Colm Sweeney on Salsify is a very experienced jockey who could have turned professional in his pomp."
45. 1605: 

    FOXHUNTER CHASE

    Creevytennant is out in front, but his jockey is having all sorts of bother attempting to keep him on the straight and narrow as he jumps right at every barrier.
46. 1603: 

    FOXHUNTER CHASE

    A little past the appointed hour, but we are away. Only amateur jockeys in this one.
47. 1603: 

    FOXHUNTER CHASE

    Veteran Backstage, trained by Gordon Elliot, may find that the ground has turned a little mushy for his taste.
48. 1601: 

    John Hunt, BBC Radio 5 live commentator at Cheltenham

    "Salsify won this race last year and he is a very short price this year. He is a clear starting point for this race, but I like Dante's Storm."
49. 1601: 

    FOXHUNTER CHASE

    Chapturgeon was second in 2013 and lost out by only a length. He won last time out at Newbury on soft ground and today's rain might play in his favour.
50. 1559: 

    FOXHUNTER CHASE

    Salsify is defending his title and at just eight years old should have improved still further since last year's triumph.
51. 1557: 

    FOXHUNTER CHASE

    The racing keeps coming. Another three races to go to close out the Festival, the first up is the CGA Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup.
52. 1554: 

    CELEB SPOT!

    Comedian Alan Carr and Russell Brand have just been chatting to BBC Radio 5 live's Derek Thompson and seem to be having a whale of the time at the races.

    There is a little dispute as to whether Brand, without shirt or tie, has under-clubbed on the dress code though.
53. 1552: 

    GOLD CUP

    The Gold Cup goes to owners The Not Afraid Partnership as Nicky Henderson waggles his own momento, a kind of gold goblet.

    
54. 1549: 

    GOLD CUP

    Bobs Worth is wrapped up in the winner's blanket as his connections make their way up to press the flesh with Princess Anne and collect their big prize.
55.  

    GET INVOLVED

    Lucy Mitchell: "Randomly bet Bobs Worth last minute and he came home to win! Wayyheyyy!"

    Michail Kolpidis: "Great stuff, well done Bobs Worth."

    Lee 'MacB' Parker: "After two good wins the past two days, today has been a day of betting failures."
56. 1545: 

    GOLD CUP

    Silviniaco Conti and his jockey Ruby Walsh appear to both be ok after taking that fall in closing stages. A miserable Festival for Paul Nicholls continues.
57.  

    BBC Sport's Frank Keogh at Cheltenham

    "A Gold Cup reminder from Barry Geraghty that AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh not only ones in golden generation of jump jockeys."
58.  

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Long Run jockey Sam Waley-Cohen on BBC Radio 5 live: "Long Run ran a cracker. He made one or two mistakes for a lack of concentration, but I could not ask any more of him. He is a star."
59. 1542: 

    GOLD CUP

    That result completes a unique achievement for jockey Barry Geraghty who bought Bobs Worth as a yearling for £13,800, sold him as a four-year-old to Nicky Henderson for £21,000 and has just ridden him to victory in the Gold Cup as an eight-year-old to land a first prize of £313, 225.
60.  

    Peter Scudamore, eight-time champion jockey at Cheltenham for BBC Radio 5 live

    "It was an honest race. Long Run went off at a sensible gallop.

    "Coming down the hill you thought Bobs Worth was beat."
61.  

    BBC Sport's Frank Keogh at Cheltenham

    "Thought 2011 Gold Cup was best I'd seen at track (since 1995) as Long Run beat Kauto + Denman but Bobs Worth win trumped it."
62. 1538: 

    GOLD CUP

    Bobs Worth's win is vindication for Nicky Henderson's decision to keep his runner under wraps since his Hennessey Gold Cup victory in November. He took the victory by seven lengths in the end.

    That makes it sound more comprehensive than it felt.
63.  

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Bobs Worth jockey Barry Geraghty speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "It was brilliant. He is such a great little horse who just loves the job.

    "We had faith in the horse. Nicky Henderson knew he would have him fit enough, he knows how to get them ready for Cheltenham."
64. 1534: 

    Bobs Worth trainer Nicky Henderson speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "It has been a long old week. Both boys gave them great rides and both horses were brave to the line.

    "It is dreams, isn't it? Barry Geraghty gave that a lovely pace.

    "It has been a long wait as neither horse has run for a long old time.

    "He is such an honest horse, he always gallows up the hill."
65. 1533: 

    That victory is Nicky Henderson's 50th Festival winner and it should be enough to wrap up his first trainers' championship in 26 years.
66. 1531: 

    GOLD CUP RESULT

    1 Bobs Worth (B J Geraghty) 11-4 Fav

    2 Sir Des Champs (A P McCoy) 4-1

    3 Long Run (Mr S Waley-Cohen) 7-2

    4. The Giant Bolster 16-1
67.  

    Luke Harvey, ex-National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live at Cheltenham

    "Extraordinary ride from Barry Geraghty. He plucked that from nowhere.

    "He looked totally beaten but he managed to galvanise his horse. That was some race, unbelievable!"
68. 1529: 

    BOBS WORTH WINS THE GOLD CUP

    

    I said he was nowhere with three to go, but that was a perfectly judged ride by Barry Geraghty. Bobs Worth stalked the frontrunners to perfection, coming through over the last and having enough left in the tank to continue pulling away up to the line.
69. 1528: 

    GOLD CUP

    Bobs Worth rises first at the last....
70.  

    Luke Harvey, ex-National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live at Cheltenham

    "AP McCoy looks to hold all the aces here."
71. 1528: 

    GOLD CUP

    Siviniaco Conti falls on the third from home.
72. 1527: 

    GOLD CUP

    No sign of Bobs Worth as yet with three to jump.
73. 1527: 

    GOLD CUP

    Long Run is leaping like a stag at the front of the field. He looks eager and full of energy. Monbeg Dude has been dropped.
74.  

    GET INVOLVED

    Will McKenzie in Glasgow on text via 81111: "Haven't backed a winner all festival! Hopefully Long Run will save my week."
75.  

    Luke Harvey, ex-National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live at Cheltenham

    "There is a huge cheer from the crowd as the horses come past the grandstand."
76. 1526: 

    GOLD CUP

    AP McCoy eases Sir Des Champs up into second place behind Long Run as the field pass the grandstand for the penultimate time. Ten to jump.
77.  

    Luke Harvey, ex-National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live at Cheltenham

    "AP McCoy is having a nice ride on Sir Des Champs."
78. 1524: 

    GOLD CUP

    Silviniaco Conti is in third behind The Giant Bolster and Long Run. Solid jumping across the field, but early stages on the three and a quarter mile course.
79.  

    GET INVOLVED

    Esther: "Cape Tribulation for me!"

    Rachael Wright: "Come on Silviniaco Conti, win me some money."

    Victoria Hardwick: "Cape Tribulation to win... Excellent jockey on board!"
80. 1522: 

    GOLD CUP

    We are away and it is Long Run and The Giant Bolster who make the early pace.
81. 1522: 

    GOLD CUP

    The walking wheel of horses are circling at the start. The crowd are baying for the start.
82.  

    GET INVOLVED

    Robert Sheldon: "Long Run to take it from Bobs Worth by more than two lengths. Stroll in the park for the wet weather wonder."
83.  

    Rob Nothman, BBC Radio 5 live's betting expert

    "Long Run has emerged in the last few minutes as the second favourite."
84. 1521: 

    GOLD CUP

    The Giant Bolster can point to a surprise second place last year, Cape Tribulation will relish the softer going.
85.  

    BBC Sport's Frank Keogh at Cheltenham

    "Welsh National winner Master Oats won the 1995 Gold Cup in soft ground the same season. Monbeg Dude anyone?"
86.  

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Bobs Worth part-owner John Jarvis on BBC Radio 5 live: "I do feel nervous. We could have done without the rain but Bob is a stayer and he absolutely adores this place."
87.  

    BBC Sport's Richard Conway at Cheltenham: "The great, now retired, Kauto Star taking applause of race fans in the Cheltenham parade ring."
88. 1519: 

    GOLD CUP

    Monbeg Dude, bought on a drink-fuelled whim by former England centre Mike Tindall and co-owned by James Simpson-Daniel of England and Welsh fly-half Nicky Robinson, has had a late change of jockey with Paul carberry replaced by Sam Twiston-Davies. Won the Welsh National on heavy ground.
89. 1516: 

    GOLD CUP

    Sir Des Champs, like Long Run, comes in off wins at the two previous Festivals and landed the Gold Cup at Leopardstown. Willie Mullins has seemed to bring his string to the simmer just right, but the ground may be a bit soft with the skies still spitting.
90.  

    GET INVOLVED

    Johnnie_Norton: "McCoy has got the bit between his teeth. Hopefully he'll come up trumps for me on Sir Des Champs."

    Jake 'De Jong' Side: "After McCoy's victory in the Novices Hurdle I fancy him in the Gold Cup riding Sir Des Champs."

    Daniel Tasker: "Cape Tribulation for me, stamina and likes the mud."
91. 1513: 

    GOLD CUP

    

    Silviniaco Conti has been on a steep upwards curve all season with solid wins at Wetherby, Haydock and Newbury. It would be Paul Nicholls' fifth Gold Cup, but does the less-than-impressive form of the Ditcheat yard count against him?
92.  

    GET INVOLVED

    Andy in Glasgow on text via 81111: "Think the cheekpieces will sharpen up Long Run's jumping and see him regain the Gold Cup."

    Jon in Sheffield on text via 81111: "I have had seven winners this festival leaving me £400 up. I've stuck £200 on Silviniaco Conti. Feeling confident. Do not let me down you beauty!"
93. 1510: 

    GOLD CUP

    Bob's Worth has the impressive boast of never having lost at Cheltenham and never being beaten from ahead in a jumps race. He carried a big weight to victory in the Hennessey Gold Cup in November.
94. 1506: 

    GOLD CUP

    

    There is history at every turn here.

    2011 winner Long Run is aiming to emulate Kauto Star by regaining the Gold Cup title. He will have the cheek pieces in place to try and keep him concentrated on the job in hand.