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
Andrew Thornton
Former Gold Cup-winning jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
That will relieve some of the pressure on Willie Mullins and Paul Townend at the start of the day.
Coming down to the last Mullins will have been worried about what happened in the first yesterday with Galopin Des Champs.
The second and third horses can have no complaints.
13:30 - JCB Triumph Hurdle
1 Vauban (Paul Townend) 6-4 Fav
2 Fil Dor (Davy Russell) 11-2
3 Pied Piper (Jack Kennedy) 7-2
12 ran
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
Well, well, well. What a race to start the day.
Vauban gave them a chance at the last because he was deep into the fence, but he was authoritative at the line. I loved the race riding with Paul Townend getting on the rail.
John Hunt
Race commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
It is a dream start to what could be a glorious day for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
Vauban wins the Triumph Hurdle!
Vauban strides up the hill and is pulling away for the win!
Lots of movers here, six in line as they approach the last.
Vauban is moving now and looking a threat in third as they head to the final flight...
Neck and neck between Porticello and Fil Dor, no-one making a break from the rest of the pack, although Icare Allen looks the most likely to make the move.
Porticello and Fil Dor lead the field as they head towards flight two. There's a couple of lengths between the leading two and the rest.
There's the huge roar once again as the first race gets under way.
Absolutely beautiful day as the field for the first race turns towards the start...
After a host of non-runners on Thursday, there are only a handful to report today.
14:50
6 Falcon Eight
18 The Real Whacker
16:10
20 Zamparelli
17:30
22 Reserve Tank
Emma Lavelle
Trainer at Cheltenham on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
I have no idea what I said to the first half dozen people I saw yesterday. It is difficult because you're so concentrated on the job ahead. Then when it is over you can enjoy yourself a bit.
Fashionable crowds and famous faces arriving on day four.
The sun is shining and racing is mere minutes away. Is there anything better?
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Chelsea captain John Terry and his wife Toni arrive at Cheltenham
The ground is drying and officially described as GOOD TO SOFT (soft in places).
Emma Lavelle
Trainer at Cheltenham on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
People have missed being a part of Cheltenham. The lovely thing about National Hunt racing is the longevity of horses coming back year in year out. People get to know them and their temperament and nature - that is fabulous.
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Almost time for the first race of the day.
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Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
The Gold Cup is a fantastic renewal. We are lacking an out-and-out star but there are so many horses with a decent level.
Mark Chapman
BBC Radio 5 Live presenter
It is just glorious. There are not many better sights in sport than this.