Results Cheltenham Fri, 13th Mar, 2020

Heartbreak for Goshen as Burning Victory grabs Triumph glory

I just feel very sorry for Gary and Jamie. Jamie did everything right and rode the perfect race. He had the race in the bag and asked the horse all the right questions at the last, but the horse didn’t answer and he just got unbalanced. I’m delighted we’ve won for our owner, but I feel hugely for Gary and Jamie — a father and son team. I know them fairly well, this was their one shot at a winner at the Festival and the work was done. I was just thinking of myself and Patrick and we’ve been there with Ruby (Walsh) as well. I know what it feels like. It’s not a victory I’m going to celebrate hugely — we got the rub of the green.

Saint shines for Geraghty and Mullins in County Hurdle

It’s what you dream of, you come here and one winner is all you want. It’s brilliant when they keep coming. There’s no doubt about it, it’s a privileged position to ride such good horses for good people and it is a pleasure. It’s a fun game in this sport, I enjoy it. I enjoyed that a bit more than the last one (fortunate victory in Triumph Hurdle). It was a proper race — he is a good horse. We were very lucky to win the last one. Barry is riding out of his skin. I said to JP on Monday evening we might have one for you. This fellow did a lovely bit of work during the week and I think he said to me he wouldn’t back him in case he stopped him. He did what he showed me in his final bit of work the other day, which was way better than before, and Barry executed the job fantastic. They all arrived down at the second last with fighting chances and you wouldn’t know which one to back. He is better than that, but he was handicapped nicely — I thought we had enough ammunition for the Supreme, but there we are.

Monkfish bags Albert Bartlett prize

Photo finish one to savour in Gold Cup repeat

At the top of the hill he started to jump better — I ended up in front sooner than I wanted, but I was able to hang on and he produced at the last. It was completely different to last year, but most importantly it was the same result. He’s a legend, he has everything — guts along with class. It’s fantastic, an absolutely unbelievable day. That man there on the screen, Paul Townend — people said he was under pressure. Paul does his own thing, he probably rides better under a little bit of pressure — really really good from him. It’s not easy to take over from someone like Ruby Walsh, but Paul’s gone and stamped his authority this season in Ireland riding for our yard, so I’m really delighted for him. I left him alone, I asked what he was going to do. I think the horse wanted a bit more of the action as it unfolded, he didn’t disappoint the horse. He let the horse do it and that’s a rider riding with huge confidence. It worked out, so I’m really happy and delighted for Paul.

It Came To Pass springs Foxhunter surprise

Chosen Mate so good in the Grand Annual for Elliott and Russell

He definitely could win a graded race. I said if you can get him in a rhythm over his first four fences he will win. Thankfully he won. Robbie Power was going to ride him, but then Davy decided he wanted to ride him and I’m thrilled he rode him, as he is a brilliant jockey and I’m lucky to have him.

Webber and Dingle off the mark at the festival

What a great thrill. Everything went wrong for her and she still managed to battle up the hill. She is an amazing filly. We’ve had plenty of seconds here in the World Hurdle, County Hurdle and Champion Bumper, so I don’t mind waiting until the last opportunity (of the week). Time For Rupert nearly got us here in the World Hurdle and we have had two bumper horses finish second and we have been second in the County Hurdle. This horse has as big a heart as anything we have trained.