Postpublished at 16:52 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Zambella has moved into the lead and leads by a length or two. Maid O'Malley second with Elimay third.
Summary
Cheltenham Gold Cup: Rachael Blackmore becomes first female jockey to win on A Plus Tard (3-1)
Blackmore has now won Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle (twice) & Grand National in past 12 months
A Plus Tard won by 15 lengths after finishing second last year
Minella Indo, the 2021 winner, second at 7-1 with Protektorat third (10-1)
Willie Mullins wins five races on final day of Festival & is leading trainer (10 wins overall)
Ireland beat GB 18-10 in Prestbury Cup, completing a clean sweep on Friday
Paul Townend is leading jockey with five wins
Vauban (6-4) wins Triumph Hurdle for Townend & Mullins
Postpublished at 16:52 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Postpublished at 16:51 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
John Hunt
Race commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraIt is interesting that Elimay has let them go away at the front, or maybe she isn't able to go the gallop. I don't know which it is.
Postpublished at 16:51 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Maid O'Malley, the 150-1 shot, leads early doors.
They're off!published at 16:50 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
The penultimate race is away!
Postpublished at 16:50 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
16:50 Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase
Concertista has a decent record at the Festival with a win and two narrow defeats and could claim her second win for the Willie Mullins-Paul Townend partnership.
She has made a solid start to her chase career with wins at Cork and Limerick this season.
Image source, Getty ImagesBut another Mullins runner Elimay, runner-up to Colreevy 12 months ago, looms large, along with Gordon Elliott’s Mount Ida.
They met at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day with Mount Ida beating Elimay by half a length.
'We are slightly creaking at these numbers attending'published at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Ian Renton, regional director of Cheltenham and the south west at The Jockey Club, on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: "It has been a great week. It has been lovely to see the crowds back and they've come back in force, having been very sorry to miss out last year. We've had record attendances every day and we've had an aggregate attendance of over 280,000 over the four days. It is remarkable and it has been wonderful that they've been able to come and enjoy the racing and culminating in the wonderful performance of Rachael.
"When we did the redevelopment we were keen to work on the movement of people. The temporary structures actually amount to more than the permanent structures - we are very conscious of the numbers that we do let in so that's why we stopped selling for this day in late January. We feel like we are slightly creaking at these numbers and we are conscious that if it were to rain whether we could offer the experience we should be able to. We'll look back at this, even though it has been fantastic, to see how we can make it even better for our racegoers."
'I feel so lucky'published at 16:39 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Image source, PA MediaGold Cup winning jockey Rachael Blackmore on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: "It is just unbelievable. I feel so lucky to be honest - it is incredible.
"It is not even 12 months since I won a Grand National and now this - I feel so lucky.
"From the moment he came back in this year we've been very happy with him. The performance that Minella Indo put up last year, you just don't know, but, look, it is great when it works out.
"I was happy with my position throughout the race - I had everyone in my sights that I wanted to keep an eye on. I tried to keep hold of him a bit more this year and it is great when it works out.
"I knew I had more under me this year than last year, but I didn't know he was going to go away in that fashion. He is an incredible horse."
Postpublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Just over 10 minutes to go until the penultimate race of the day. Rachael Blackmore has been speaking to the BBC about her brilliant Gold Cup win, let's see what she had to say.
'The horse is just so lazy'published at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Winning trainer Willie Mullins on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: "The horse is just so lazy but Patrick obviously had faith in him. We've been waiting for this day for three years - it is terrific.
"Patrick never gave up. He has confidence in him, but maybe he was a little bit over confident today.
"It is Rachael's afternoon today, but we're delighted too. We had a fair bit of luck there!"
Postpublished at 16:27 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraIt was a ride of incredible finesse - there was strength in the finish too. Billaway never looked comfortable on the second circuit.
At the top of the hill he'd have been my sixth choice to win the race. He was under the most pressure.
Postpublished at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
John Hunt
Race commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraI love the way that Patrick Mullins just didn't give up on that horse because he looked entitled to at multiple stages.
Resultpublished at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
16:10 St. James' Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase
1 Billaway (Mr P W Mullins) 13-8 Fav
2 Winged Leader (Mr B O'Neill) 9-2
3 Mighty Stowaway (Mr J J Codd) 33-1
19 ran
A record!published at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
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John Hunt
Race commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraExtraordinary scenes! The crowd are jumping up and down. It is an amazing finish.
At the top of the hill that looked unlikely and at the second last it looked impossible!
On a great day for the Mullins family, Patrick Mullins has realised a lifetime's dream.
Billaway wins!published at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
BreakingBillaway clinches the Hunters' Chase right at the end! Winged Leader looked to have it in the bag but Billaway just did not give up.
Postpublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
But here comes Billaway! It is going to be so close!
Postpublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
A great jump by Winged Leader on the penultimate fence and he pulls clear of the rest!
Postpublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
A few pulling up now as Winged Leader and Mighty Stowaway pull away from the rest.
Postpublished at 16:18 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Winged Leader jumps well and is into the lead with eight to go.
Postpublished at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Past winner It Came To Pass is a long way back as Premier Magic pulls up. Don Bersy remains in the lead.