Postpublished at 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Barry Geraghty
Former jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
Rachel Blackmore is an exceptional rider. She is the nicest girl you'll meet in the world too - she's caring and genuine.
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 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
'I can't explain how lucky I feel'published at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Rachael Blackmore, speaking to ITV Sport: "I can't believe it. I am so lucky to get to ride all these horses. You can't do it without these horses. Being attached to Henry's yard is unbelievable. I don't know what to say.
"I wouldn't swap the Grand National for anything but this is the Gold Cup. I wish I had something better to say but I just can't! I can't explain how lucky I feel."
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 15:44 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
The noise!
The cheers and adulation as Rachael Blackmore, on A Plus Tard, makes her way to the winners enclosure.
Superb scenes. What a superstar Rachael Blackmore is.
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End of twitter postPostpublished at 15:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
John Hunt
Race commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraRachael Blackmore will be back in the sporting headlines once again and rightly so, but what a performance from the horse.
Resultpublished at 15:41 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
1 A Plus Tard (Rachael Blackmore) 3-1 Fav
2 Minella Indo (R M Power) 7-1
3 Protektorat (Harry Skelton) 10-1
11 ran
Postpublished at 15:39 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
John Hunt
Race commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraWhat an astonishing day in the Cheltenham sunshine!
She is the first female rider to ever win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and she's done it in sensational fashion! They rattled up the hill to thrash Minella Indo by 15 or 20 lengths.
A quite extraordinary climax to a brilliant Cheltenham Festival.
Historic win for Blackmorepublished at 15:39 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
BreakingRachael Blackmore is the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with victory on A Plus Tard.
Incredible! She has tears in her eyes. What a 12 months it has been for her.
A Plus Tard wins!published at 15:37 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
BreakingA Plus Tard and Rachael Blackmore win the Gold Cup!
Postpublished at 15:37 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
And A Plus Tard powers into the lead!
Postpublished at 15:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
A Plus Tard is pulling Minella Indo back now though, what a finish we have here!
Postpublished at 15:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
John Hunt
Race commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraMy word, this is open!
Postpublished at 15:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraMy eyes are being drawn to Al Boum Photo and A Plus Tard.
Postpublished at 15:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Minella Indo comes through and is into the lead with three to go!
Postpublished at 15:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Asterion Forlonge jumps the latest fence well but Al Boum Photo and Minella Indo are making manoeuvres now.
Very open this one.
Postpublished at 15:35 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Six out and Aye Right is dropping back a bit now and down to third. Chantry House is pulled up.
Postpublished at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
John Hunt
Race commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraI wouldn't want to be anywhere near Asterion Forlonge if I was a jockey today.
Al Boum Photo is in a lovely groove.
Postpublished at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraI wonder if Asterion Forlonge is looking at the TV camera on the inside of the track as he's making his way round.
Postpublished at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
One circuit down and outsider Aye Right leads from Aysterion Forlonge.
Al Boum Photo is fifth with Minella Indo just behind.
Postpublished at 15:33 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
John Hunt
Race commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraSantini is been travelling better than I've seen him travel in a long, long time.
Tornado Flyer hasn't been able to settle at all. The King George's winner chances may have gone I fear.
Postpublished at 15:32 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2022
Royale Pagaille is making progress and is up into third. Tornado Flyer started well but at the back now.