GOLDEN TOUCH
Big favourite Galopin Des Champs wins his second straight Gold Cup as loose horse threatened to cause chaos
An emotional win for the trainer a month after losing his mum
RED-HOT 10-11 favourite Galopin Des Champs won his second straight Gold Cup to give trainer Willie Mullins an emotional victory - a month after losing his mum.
But he had to swerve potential disaster after 8-1 third-fav Fastorslow lost his rider JJ Slevin on the final circuit.
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Fastorslow interfered with the remaining horses over the final few fences while his stricken jockey remained on the turf before getting up unhurt.
Galopin Des Champs' jockey Paul Townend showed incredible composure under massive pressure to get his best out of the horse up the famous hill.
The defending champ, who was sent off 10-11 favourite, absolutely powered home to leave runner-up and 13-2 second-fav Gerri Colombe trailing behind, with former Grand National hero Corach Rambler in third.
It was an emotional victory for trainer Willie Mullins, who lost his mum Maureen just last month.
Winning jockey Townend said: "Unbelievable. We rode him different to last year and he was just so brave for me.
"His heart makes him a champion."
While owner Audrey Turley, who won Β£350,000 with victory, said: "He's just such a lovable horse. I want to cuddle him and snuggle him all day."
Mullins said: "That loose horse... Paul was so positive on him. We will come back for a third one if we can.
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"The loose horse was the only concern. Paul was in the position he wanted to be in and seemed to be travelling easily."
The result was yet more bad news for bookies, who have been bashed with a load of favourites going in all week.
Harry Redknapp celebrates his win at Cheltenham races
Coral's David Stevens said: "When the Festival's leading trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend team up on the reigning Gold Cup champion and hot favourite in the biggest betting race of the week, victory for the combination is never going to be anything other than bad news for the bookmakers.
"Overall it's been a roller-coaster week for us, but Galopin Des Champ's Gold Cup double means plenty of punters have ended this huge week on a high."
Mullins smashed through the 100 Cheltenham winner mark when son Patrick won the Champion Bumper on Wednesday.
So winning the most prestigious race in the calendar a month after mum Maureen passed away aged 94 saw his racing journey come full circle.
And now it's all eyes on a third Gold Cup next year.
Mullins, 67, from Kilkenny in Ireland, added: "I just think he put himself in the superstar category.
"To do what he did in the way that he did it, and that loose horse there - Paul was so positive on him - I think we have to say, weβre coming back next year to try to win a third one if we can."
Gold Cup finishing order
1st Galopin Des Champs 10-11
2nd Gerri Colombe 13-2
3rd Corach Rambler 14-1
4th L'Homme Presse 16-1
5th Bravemansgame 14-1
6th Jungle Boogie 16-1
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Pulled up - Monkfish, Gentlemansgame, Nassalam, The Real Whacker
Unseated - Fastorslow
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