Minella Indo led home a Wellchild Cheltenham Gold Cup one-two for Henry De Bromhead as Jack Kennedy edged out Rachael Blackmore on A Plus Tard.
In a thrilling race set alight by the bold, front-running Frodon, it was again the Irish that came to the fore as those at the top of the market tanked into contention when the chips were down.
Winner of the last two years, Al Boum Photo, went down fighting in his quest for a third, but he had to settle for third in the end as it was the on-fire De Bromhead yard that dominated the finish.
Kennedy got first run on Minella Indo and though A Plus Tard gave it his all under Blackmore, it was the stable second string that prevailed by a length and a quarter.
Native River, another former winner, was pushed along at an early stage but to his great credit ran on to take fourth, with Frodon weakening into fifth after a superb effort from the front.
Nicky Henderson's pair of Champ and Santini were both pulled up after disappointing runs.
It was the highlight of a truly sensational week for De Bromhead, whose Gold Cup one-two was added to five other victories at the Festival, including the Unibet Champion Hurdle with Honeysuckle and the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase with Put The Kettle On.
An astonishing feat, underlined by the fact no other trainer had ever won the three principal races at the same Festival before.
RESULT: 3.05 Cheltenham - WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup
1st MINELLA INDO (9/1)
2nd A Plus Tard (100/30)
3rd Al Boum Photo (9/4 favourite)
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Kennedy said: “I can’t believe it, this is what I’ve dreamt of since I was a child. I’m just so grateful to Henry and (owner) Barry Maloney for giving me a chance and the opportunity to ride him. I can’t thank them enough, I’ll owe them forever.
“This is what I live for. I just can’t believe this is after happening, I’m delighted.
“I was there very soon on him, but I didn’t want to disappoint him, he carried me into it and I didn’t want to be taking him back.
“I landed over the last and he pricked his ears, he was pulling up, but it wasn’t out of tiredness and when he heard Rachael coming back at him, he took off again. It’s unbelievable stuff.”
Dream result
De Bromhead said: “It was incredible. Jack was brilliant on Minella Indo, who is just such a tough horse.
“It’s all down to the crew at home, who work so hard. And the support of all our clients, it’s just brilliant. Whatever it is about here – he’s a little bit like Put The Kettle On – he just comes alive.
“He’s fast asleep at home on a daily basis, but even saddling him today, he was like he was before the Albert Bartlett (in 2019) – he was kicking the back door and so up for it.
“We obviously had the mishap at Christmas and he wasn’t as good in the Irish Gold Cup, but we wanted to get a clear round that day and Rachael rode him brilliantly.
“It’s all come together here and it’s fantastic. To win a Cheltenham Gold Cup is something you dream about.”
De Bromhead added of riding arrangements for his pair: “Rachael had the choice. I always try to stay out of that and I left it to her.
“Everyone has been asking me on the run-up to the race which had the better chance, but I couldn’t split them.
“I don’t like to interfere (with Blackmore’s choice) as I’d hate to put her the wrong way.
“She knew they were both training well.”
Connections proud of former winner
Mullins was proud of Al Boum Photo in defeat.
The Closutton trainer said: “A great run from Al Boum Photo, he ran his heart out. The winner was very unlucky last year (in what was the RSA Chase) and A Plus Tard’s form was very good in Ireland, so we’ve no excuses.
“Our fellow ran a cracker of a race and it was a great race for the three horses over the last three fences.”
He added: “Kemboy jumped very well throughout, Danny (Mullins) just said that he just started to feel the pinch after the water fence. He gave him a little breather and he just wasn’t able to get back in the race.”
