World-famous Cheltenham Festival trophy stolen by thieves recovered just days before start of races
A world-famous Cheltenham Festival trophy stolen by thieves has been recovered just days before the start of racing's biggest meeting.
The Grand Annual Steeple Chase Cup was being spruced up at a silversmiths in Sheffield before this month's Festival.
But the oldest of the 28 trophies at the meeting was stolen along with other items during a raid on February 2.
Trainer Ben Pauling, who won the race last year with Global Citizen, said he was 'devastated' by the theft from Camelot Silverware.
But South Yorkshire Police confirmed the cup had been found just in time.
A statement read: "A valuable trophy which was being worked on ahead of the Cheltenham Festival and was taken during a burglary at Camelot Silverware on Gibraltar Street earlier this month has now been recovered. Thank you to all who shared our appeal.
"No arrests have been made."
Victory in the race for Pauling and owners The Megsons was worth more than £70,000 last year.
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The 28-1 chance sprung a huge surprise in the handicap over fences after seeing off Andy Dusfresne, the Gordon Elliott-trained 100-30 fav.
The Grand Annual is one of the big betting races of the Festival and often features a large field racing over two miles.
Aucunrisque is the current 8-1 ante-post fav to win this year for trainer Chris Gordon.
The race, which will be run on Wednesday, March 15, will again be worth £70,338 to the winner.
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