Gaelic Warrior won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in supreme fashion as Harry Redknapp-owned Jukebox Man finished eighth.
Gaelic Warrior, trained by Willie Mullins, went off as the 11-4 joint favourite alongside Jango Baie, but outclassed the field after making the turn for home.
Jockey Paul Townend barely had to move on the impressive winner, who crossed the finish line eight lengths clear of Jango Baie.
The 2025 Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin finished strongly to come third in this year’s edition, having been priced at 8-1.
Mullins was full of praise for owner Rich Ricci, who became the first owner to win the Champion Hurdle – with Lossiemouth on Tuesday – and Gold Cup in the same year.
The trainer told ITV: “What a performance and what a performance from the owner.
“The first time an owner has won the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup in the same season.
“Paul Townend, how cool was he over the last two fences?
“I don’t know how he was so cool over those last two fences. The dominance of Gaelic Warrior against a good field on paper – fantastic for them all.”
Winning jockey Townend said after the race he was “fortunate” to be riding Gaelic Warrior.
“It’s the Gold Cup. They just get better and better. I am speechless,” Townend said.
“Patrick [Mullins] was convinced he was the horse for the race.
“Hard luck on him [in that race] but he did a lot of work with this horse. It’s a big team effort. I was just fortunate to be on the back of him today.
“I got the position I wanted. I didn’t ever envision going so far ahead, but I wasn’t going to slow him down third from the last.”
Ricci said he had “reached the mountain” having wanted to win the Gold Cup for 21 years.
Meanwhile, Envoi Allen – a three-time Cheltenham Festival winner – died after falling ill following Friday’s feature race.
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