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Look at what that means. What a win!

Winning trainer Willie Mullins, speaking to ITV: "Fantastic. An absolutely unbelievable day. Some said he was under pressure but Paul does his own thing. He probably rides better under a bit of pressure. Delighted for Paul. It is very hard to take over from someone like Ruby Walsh but Paul has stamped his authority. He is a rider riding with huge confidence."

Winning jockey Paul Townend, speaking to ITV Sport: "Amazing. I thought I'd never have the feeling like I had last year but I think this was even better. Unreal."

What a Gold Cup that was! Brilliant stuff from Paul Townend as he rides yet another winner.

That's also four out of four today for trainer Willie Mullins. Dominant.

1 Al Boum Photo (P Townend) 10-3 Fav

2 Santini (Nico de Boinville) 5-1

3 Lostintranslation (R M Power) 10-1

12 ran

Also: 20-1 Monalee 4th

Back to back Gold Cups!

What a race from Al Boum Photo, who takes victory!

Santini takes second with Losintranslation third.

Al Boum Photo is up there now along with Lostintranslation. It is going to be close!

Into the business end now of the race and Monalee is into the lead with five fences to go. Plenty is good positions to pounce, though.

Al Boum Photo is running in the midfield as they turn into the home straight. Bristol De Mai is now up alongside Elegant Escape out in front.

Everyone jumping well with 15 fences to go. Elegant Escape continues to lead but Bristol De Mai is coming on strong on the inside.

Roar from the stands as the field gets going. Elegant Escape is the early leader but long way to go yet.

Down goes the flag and the Cheltenham Gold Cup is under way!

The runners and the riders are making their way to the start, serious expressions on all the jockeys' faces. Focused.

Clan Des Obeaux's trainer Paul Nicholls tells 5 Live: "I'm very happy. He's had a good prep and we'll see what happens. He is very fit and won't have needed a run after the King George. He has to stay on and gallop up the hill. I think he can win but we'll see later."

Jockey Lizzie Kelly, who had a horrible heavy fall on Siruh Du Lac on Thursday is back at the course again.

"I felt like I'd been hit by a bus this morning but I've had some physio and that has helped - and plenty of paracetamol," she tells 5 Live.

"I don't watch my falls but once I started getting so many messages, I felt I had to watch it. It was pretty grim but we live to fight another day."

Image source, Getty Images

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The success of female riders recently has been such that a social media campaign - using the hashtag #JustJockeys - was launched to illustrate that many are just as skilled as their male colleagues.

Leading the way is Rachael Blackmore, runner-up in the Irish jockeys' championship last year and winner of Tuesday's Mares' Hurdle on Honeysuckle.

The 30-year-old partners Monalee in the Gold Cup for trainer Henry de Bromhead and while no woman has ridden the winner of the race, Blackmore has won praise from someone well versed in succeeding.

"She's outstanding, strong, a beautiful horsewoman, with a very good racing brain," said Henrietta Knight, who trained Best Mate to land the contest in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

"The horses, whether they are steeplechasers or hurdlers, like running for her. She just has a wonderful way when she sits on them that must give them a lot of confidence. She's better than most of the men, and just as strong."

Patrick Mullins, son of Willie Mullins and the jockey of Kemboy tells 5 Live: "We scratched the itch last year with Al Boum Photo so hopefully we can do it again. Kemboy didn't get far last year so we'll probably change tactics this year. It is a fascinating tactical contest. It's the first time I've had a live chance in the race, which is great."

Despite twice winning the mid-winter showpiece, the King George VI Chase at Kempton, Clan Des Obeaux has never come out on top in five runs at Cheltenham.

Trainer Paul Nicholls, seeking a fifth Gold Cup triumph, insists the track and longer trip should not be a problem.

Stable jockey Harry Cobden takes the ride and believes a break between races, greater experience and different tactics will all be of benefit.

"I'm really looking forward to it. He's an improved horse and Paul doesn't think he can get him any fitter," he told BBC Sport.

"He's had a perfect prep. I schooled him last week and he jumped fantastic. We are just hoping he is a stronger, older, wiser horse and hopefully I'll ride him a bit better, with more confidence and hang on to him a bit more. Native River coming out of the race is a big plus. I think last year we just went too hard early on."

Al Boum Photo is bidding to become the first horse since Best Mate to defend the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The 2019 winner gave champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins his first triumph in the big race after six second places.

Al Boum Photo won nicely on his return at Tramore on New Year's Day, while Kemboy did beat his stablemate at Punchestown in May but unseated his rider at the first fence in the 2019 Gold Cup.

Santini, for Nicky Henderson, and the Gordon Elliott-trained Delta Work were second and third in the RSA Chase 12 months ago and look solid contenders.

Lostintranslation won the Betfair Chase but flopped in the King George, while Presenting Percy was well beaten when among the Gold Cup favourites last year.