Mark Bradstock: Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer dies aged 66

Nico de Boinville and Mark Bradstock teamed up for victory at the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Jockey Nico de Boinville has led tributes to Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Mark Bradstock who has died aged 66 after a long illness.

De Boinville rode Coneygree, trained by Bradstock and his wife Sara, to victory in the 2015 race.

Coneygree was the first novice winner of the race in more than 40 years.

"I owe them all so much, they played an integral part in getting me going," said De Boinville. "Mark will be hugely missed."

Bradstock, based in Oxfordshire, also won the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup with Carruthers and the 2018 Bet365 Gold Cup with Step Back.

His last runner Mr Vango won the Devon National last week and could run in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham later this month.

Sara Bradstock with Coneygree

Retired jockey Mattie Batchelor, who was on board Carruthers for his Hennessy triumph and also steered Coneygree to two Grade Two victories over hurdles, posted: "Thank you very much for the memories. We had some great times and more importantly some great laughs."

Bradstock rode as an amateur but enjoyed more success as a trainer, first as an assistant to Fulke Walwyn in Lambourn before going out on his own.

Trainer Kim Bailey had visited his friend on Thursday.

"Poor Mark looked so frail and we were not sure if he recognised us, but when Sara brought his 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner onto the yard lawn so he could see him, the smile that came on to his face was one I will never forget." he said.