Cheltenham review

Imperial Commander and Paddy Brennan win the Gold Cup Imperial Commander stormed up the hill to claim the Gold Cup at Cheltenham from Denman as Kauto Star crashed out in the Festival highlight.

Paddy Brennan gave the gelding a confident ride and took it up two from home from Denman.

The 7/1 shot pulled away from his rival before the last and kept up the gallop all the way to the line to score by seven lengths for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Double on the day for Brennan


Paddy Brennan Paddy Brennan made it a day to remember for Galway and for his boss Nigel Twiston-Davies, after the bottom weight Pigeon Island responded well to his rider’s urgings to run out a narrow winner of the Grand Annual Chase.

The top weight French Opera held a narrow advantage at the last, but the blinkered Consigliere, was travelling well and looked a big danger at the stage.

Farrelly and Lavelle win Martin Pipe


Johnny FarrellyJohnny Farrelly partnered one of the biggest winners of his career, when he guided Pause And Clause to a game success in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey's Hurdle.

A mistake at the second last didn’t help his cause, but to his credit the 14/1 chance found plenty on the run in to beat Radium by three and a half lengths for trainer Emma Lavelle.

The Willie Mullins trained C’Est Ca fell at the first, while the rest of the Irish challenge that included Meath All Star and Larkwing never featured at the business end.

• 19th Mar, Baby completes Twiston-Davies double
• 19th Mar, Weary punters feeling the pinch at Cheltenham
• 19th Mar, Berties springs Bartlett surprise
• 19th Mar, More glory for Katie
• 19th Mar, Geraghty back in the winners enclosure
• 19th Mar, Betfair market movers
• 19th Mar, 10p punter on verge of big payout
• 19th Mar, "Lethal" Kauto aiming to join legends
• 18th Mar, BallaBriggs takes the last under Harding
• 18th Mar, Condon given careless riding ban
• 18th Mar, Pipe doubles up

Full Cheltenham Festival 2010 News Index