Tom Scudamore
Jockey on BBC Radio 5 live

There was no let up at all. Nothing else was getting into the race. It was just fabulous.

Image source, Getty Images

Colin Tizzard was supposed to be having a quiet season as well. As family members, including his grandkids, pogoed up and down as Native River approached the winning post, the winning trainer looked like the calmest man at Cheltenham...

Charlie Poste
National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live

He's got stamina in abundance. Brilliant jumping, stays all day. Unbelievable. It takes two to tango and what a race they've given us. It was a joy to watch.

Image source, Reuters

Two brave horses but only one could win. Native River wins THE race that they all want to win.

Image source, PA

NATIVE RIVER WINS THE 2018 GOLD CUP!

What stamina! Native River led from the start, we thought he might run out of gas... but he held on.

An amazing duel between the 11-2 shot and favourite Might Bite. What a ride from Richard Johnson!

Who's got the stamina? Both are over the final fence... it's a straight sprint to win the Gold Cup...

Native River and Might Bite still can't be separated... it's a two-horse race...

Total Recall has gone now... still the two long-time leaders... three to go

Five to go... Native River and Might Bite pushing the accelerator.. four lengths clear of the rest... Our Duke is down...

Charlie Poste
National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live

I think Definitly Red will be very happy at how quick they have both gone off.

Seven fences to go... everyone other without any bother. Native River and Might Bite matching each other stride for stride...

Image source, Reuters

Native River is out at the front as they go away from the stands again, a nice rhythm from the Richard Johnson ride. Might Bite tucks in behind, everyone else tightening up that previous gap.

John Hunt
BBC Radio 5 live's commentator at Cheltenham

Native River and Might Bike are giving a masterclass in jumping. Hopefully they've not gone out too quick.

A decent pace as Native River presses on, ahead of Might Bite. A couple of lengths between the rest of the field. Still got 14 fences to jump...

Charlie Poste
National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live

Might Bite is very handy he's not going to let Native River just run the show.

Native River takes the early initiative as they approach the second fence. An ear-splitting roar goes up as the field goes past the packed grandstand for the first time.

Might Bite a neck behind...

As the horses jostle for position, money is still being bunged on Might Bite by the lorry load.

The horses have being called out and pointed over to the start line. Here we go...

The Blue Riband of steeple-chasing is ON!

Why is the Cheltenham Gold Cup considered to be the pinnacle of jump racing?

Well, it is a thorough test of the steeplechaser. They have to negotiate 22 fences over three and a quarter miles on undulating turf.

And it all climaxes with an uphill finish which will really sap the stamina on ground officially described as soft, heavy in places.

Image source, Frank Keogh

Might Bite is the final horse out of the ring, galloping up to the start line. The 4-1 favourite looks magnificent. As does jockey Nico De Boinville's colourful silks. He looks the sporn of a Battenburg cake and a Refresher bar.

Image source, BBC Sport

There's a buzz of excitement puncturing the slightly-chilly Cheltenham air. Here are the horses! The 15 runners come out of the paddock and into the parade ring...

Image source, BBC Sport