Image source, Getty Images

1 Galopin Des Champs (P Townend) 10-11 Fav

2 Gerri Colombe (J W Kennedy) 13-2

3 Corach Rambler (D R Fox) 14-1

11 ran

BACK-TO-BACK!

Galopin Des Champs bolts for the line and there is no coming back for the rest of the field.

Feels fitting that Willie Mullins has won the 100th anniversary of the Gold Cup.

A huge jump and a huge roar as Galopin Des Champs sails over the last!

Image source, Getty Images

Two fences to go as they turn for home.

Galopin Des Champs is taking control now...

A loose horse has decided to spice things up...

L'Homme Presse and Galopin Des Champs have joined The Real Whacker at the front.

Fastorslow has gone! Apologies to any backers...

Monkfish and Corach Rambler are bringing up the pack. Perhaps showing their age.

Ten fences to go.

Four minutes into the race and we have 12 fences to go. That's almost halfway.

The Real Whacker continues to lead the way and has not really been challenged yet.

A quietish first circuit.

A decent pace and some comfortable jumping.

The Real Whacker still sets the speed, with Galopin Des Champs tucked close behind in third.

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

They are setting a strong tempo early on.

The Real Whacker decides to take the initiative and leads in the early stages.

Here. We. Go!

The Gold Cup, on its 100th anniversary, is under way.

The roar from the stands can be heard in Bristol.

The nerves must underlying for most of the field, whoever can control them and manages their tactics will be key.

Almost time...

The breeze whips through Paul Townend's silks, with his sleeves whistling in the wind.

Townend and Galopin Des Champs have been here, done it and got the Gold Cup on the mantelpiece.

Looking cool as cucumbers.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Here's the coveted Gold Cup (it's actually a lot smaller than many major sporting trophies) and a man who knows all about winning it.

Retired 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy won the race twice - on Mr Mulligan in 1997 and Synchronised 12 years ago.

"They were good memories. I wish I could keep hold of the trophy for a bit longer," he told me.

Image source, Frank Keogh

The pagentry has started as the horses are paraded in front of the grandstand.

Each contender has their name and credentials read out like a prizefighter going out to the ring.

Then they turn out onto the track and sprint out like footballers coming out of the tunnel.

They're fighting for this little beauty...

Image source, Getty Images

It has been a stinker of a week for Nicky Henderson.

Henderson, who is the second most successful trainer of all-time, has been forced to withdraw several of his runners - including Gold Cup hope Shishkin - amid concerns over the stable's form.

"Very sadly it will not be possible for Shishkin to run in the Gold Cup on Friday," Henderson announced on Wednesday.

"He was scoped [tested] as have all our potential runners this week, but unfortunately he has shown an unsatisfactory picture on which he couldn't possibly run.

"He appears to be 100% in himself and has been working and schooling better than ever and we were really looking forward to Friday, it is hoped that along with all the other non-participants this week that they will be back in time for Aintree or Punchestown."

Looks scorching down trackside as the contenders are led out.

That does not stop David Mann - the exuberant owner of The Real Whacker - wearing a white fur coat.

He looks like a polar bear but it ain't Arctic conditions out there.

Blame it on the weatherman.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Sun shines on Cleeve Hill as a backdrop to punters on Cheltenham Gold Cup day.

Image source, Frank Keogh