Cheltenham Festival 2022 LIVE RESULTS: Gold Cup build-up for final day of racing after thrilling St Patrick’s Day
THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL is coming to a close with the Gold Cup the showpiece event of the final day.
It was gorgeous sunshine today at Prestbury Park on St Patrick's Day as Flooring Porter crossed the line first in the marquee Stayers' Hurdle.
And we now know the CONFIRMED runners and riders for the prestigious Gold Cup, with the declarations made.
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3.30 Queen Mother Champion Chase
Chacun Pour Soi heads off at a blistering pace!
Shishkin shoved a long a bit, in second last. Energumene last and following him.
Envoi Allen and Put The Kettle On chasing the leader.
3.30 Queen Mother Champion Chase
THEY'RE OFF IN THE FEATURE!
3.30 Queen Mother Champion Chase
The starter heads to let them away.....
Huge bet
A £150,000 bet placed on Energumene before the start!
Huge money and the rematch didn't need much more of a build-up!
At the start
And we are moments away from today's big one.
Shishkin 4/5
Energumene 11/4
Chacun Pour Soi 6/1
Parading
They're out in front of the stands, being paraded to an expectant crowd.
Chacun Pour Soi out first and bursts down to the start.
Put The Kettle On in the field too. Last year's winner completely forgotten about!
Envoi Allen seeing all the money....
More of the same?
What a finish this was.
Can they recreate it?
'Water under the bridge'
Nicky Henderson says Shishkin is a 'tough devil' after fighting on to beat Energumene at Ascot.
He told : "He’s a tough devil because he had a tough race. It was built as one of the epics and rightly so.
"It looked as though they had us in trouble. Shishkin is a fighter if nothing else, but he’s got class and he’s got stamina.
"He won by a length and a length is nothing in six or eight weeks. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then."
'Tough to reverse it'
Willie Mullins says Paul Townend's decision to choose Energumene was with the rain in mind.
But expects his mounts to find it tough to get to Shishkin.
He said: "Chacun Pour Soi has never given his true running here but if he does today he will be a big player.
"Paul has picked Energumene. The expected rain was one of the reasons for his decision.
"However, he is going to find it tough to reverse Ascot running with Shishkin."
Last chance!
Shishkin the big favourite ahead of the race of the week.
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William Hill: Shishkin in top 3 at 20/1
Party pooper
Robbie Power is backing Chacun Pour Soi to bring his Irish form over to Cheltenham and trouble the big two.
He told : “It’s round two between Shishkin and Energumene, but don’t rule out Chacun Pour Soi - he’s a big danger if he can bring his Irish form across the Irish sea.
"He didn’t last year and he didn’t at Sandown in the Tingle Creek, but he’s a very talented horse."
NON-RUNNER!
A big one out...
Nube Negra is out the next - cruel for connections.
Cruel for punters too, now only SEVEN runners!
Here's the line-up for the rest from .
Shishin – 10/11
Energumene – 3/1
Chacun Pour Soi – 15/2
Envoi Allen – 12/1
Put the Kettle On – 28/1
Funabmbule Sivola – 40/1
Politologue – 100/1
Time for the big one!
Now we count down to the Champion Chase.
It's all about the Shishkin / Energumene rematch - will Chacun Pour Soi blow that out the water?
2.50 Coral Cup
FULL RESULT
1st - Commander Of Fleet
2nd - Fastorslow 18/1
3rd - Ashdale Bob 14/1
4th - Camprond 10/1
Commander Of Fleet wins the Coral Cup
A great finish despite the field being well, well strung out.
The Elliott runner with his head down at the right time.
Commander Of Fleet wins the Coral Cup
Shane Fitzgerald with the ride for Gordon Elliott.
The trainer finally on the board - his first Cheltenham winner for a couple of years having missed last year.
2.50 Coral Cup
COMMANDER OF FLEET called the winner!
A 50/1 winner - a collective exhale from the bookies!
2.50 Coral Cup
Commander Of Fleet comes to tackle Ashdale Bob and jumps to the lead.
Fastorslow is coming though and noses in front up the run-in!
But Commander Of Fleet is tough and the pair drive up the hill to the line....
PHOTO FINISH!
2.50 Coral Cup
Nothing else getting into this at all from the back.
A 23 runner race and only three in with a chance two out.
Ashdale Bob jumps two out with a lead but is wandering about!
2.50 Coral Cup
Turning in with two to jump and Ashdale Bob leads them in.
Commander Of Fleet and Fastorslow the only real challengers here.
2.50 Coral Cup
All still going as they head down the back.
Ashdale Bob leads them.
Though to be honest, the players in behind are COVERED in mud, making out the silks is very tough!
2.50 Coral Cup
AND WE'RE OFF!
The big field rushing down to the first and all get over OK.
2.50 Coral Cup
This is anyone's guess I suppose.
But we are down at the start and the starter assumes his position.
Tip time!
But you better be quick! Here's who our guys are going with:
TEMPLEGATE: DROP THE ANCHOR was beaten just three lengths in the County Hurdle at last year’s Festival but this longer trip should be more to his liking.
He warmed up with a cracking fifth in a red-hot contest at Leopardstown where he finished ahead of Suprise Package who ran away with the Imperial Cup at the weekend.
MATT: I’ll have few quid each-way on GOWEL ROAD (2.50) for Nigel Twiston-Davies.
My selection gave a stone and a beating to Unexpected Party over course and distance in November. That runner-up has shone since so there is just 3lb between the pair.
Since his victory, Gowel Road has lost over two miles at Newbury and Lingfield. But he’s back to his Cheltenham winning distance here and might surprise a few people at decent odds.
Royalty on show
Nobody can hide from the rain!
But Princess Anne is in amongst the action as you'd expect as she braves a smile despite the conditions!
