Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup 2023 LIVE RESULTS: Reaction as Galopin Des Champs WINS huge one, Martin Pipe concludes week

Six whip-uses cases to be assessed

Racing chiefs say SIX cases of whip use at Cheltenham will be looked at - but none risk a horse being disqualified.

New rules brought in before the festival mean potential disqualification if a whip is used 11 times in one race on a horse.

It sparked fears over Irish jockeys at Cheltenham as they have had less time getting used to the change.

But tonight the British Horseracing Authority said not one whip case under review next week carried a disqualification threat.

The BHA said: “Of the six referrals only one was for a winning ride.

"Three of the referrals were for use above the permitted level, two of incorrect place and one for above shoulder height.

“The referral for the one winning ride was not for use above the permitted level.”

Rules for hitting a horse in the wrong place have NOT changed.

This means two of the referrals are not covered by the new guidelines.

Magic plays farce and loose

Today's crazy climax to the Hunters' Chase - with loose horses bundling up - was labelled one of the "most bizarre finishes" ever seen.

Secret Investor, who had unseated Natalie Parker, was the chief mischief-maker at the front.

But I K Brunel - minus Izzie Marshall - vied for attention.r

It all helped 66-1 starter Premier Magic to land a surprise win.

ITV racing commentator Robert Hogarth called it "one of the most bizarre finishes I think I've ever seen"

He continued: "You watch the head on, all the loose horses got in the way of all the horses up the rails.

"Premier Magic was walking home but has done enough to win, held on from Its On The Line who is in second place.

"But you do wonder what would've happened to a few of those had the loose horses not impeded them."

Mullins hails Townend’s riding 'under pressure'

Willie Mullins praised jockey Paul Townend's coolness and command "under pressure" as Galopin Des Champs completed a Gold Cup treble for the Irish trainer.

Townend followed orders on stopping the fast-finishing Galopin from storming off too strongly too early.

And Mullins said: “We put ourselves under pressure by saying he had enough stamina to win a Gold Cup but I thought he had enough class to win a Gold Cup.

“When Al Boum Photo won the Gold Cup, there wasn’t a huge amount of expectation behind him but there was a huge weight of expectation behind this guy.

“I didn’t realise how much pressure there would be but at third last, I saw Paul fly through it and come back on the bridle. Then I thought ‘this is going to happen’.

“Through the race you were wondering whether you’re too far back but I’d asked Paul to settle him.

“I said ‘you’ve got the best horse, the fastest horse’.

"Paul is so good under pressure and I’ve been putting him under fair pressure this week.”

Ireland wins!

There will be plenty of Irish cheers in the Paddy Power fan zone in London tonight.

The Emerald Isle won 18-10 - and to really rub salt into the wounds, boozers were poured a pint of British Cheers.

Galopin Des Champs extraordinary win triggered a free sample of the new brew for each and every attendee to kick off the celebrations.

Paddy Power spokesperson Rachael Kane said “Paddy’s Day well and truly belonged to the Irish and were delighted to help our fanzone attendees rub the auld enemy’s nose in it by supping on their tears.

"Cheltenham couldn’t have gone any better for us this year and we’re hoping that we’ll be able to crack open a few more cans tomorrow after the rugby.”

Talk about rubbing it in...

Signing out in style

5.30 Handicap Hurdle - FAST RESULTS

1st - Iroko 6-1

2nd - No Ordinary Joe 14-1

3rd - Buddy One 28-1

4th - Might I 6-1

5th - Imagine 5-1

5.30 Handicap Hurdle

What a fantastic ride by conditional jockey Aidan Kelly - Iroko seemed well out of it coming around the bend.

Was off the bridle a long way out, but found so much up the hill. Some finish!

5.30 Handicap Hurdle

IROKO WINS IT!

5.30 Handicap Hurdle

Plenty of horses picking this up now - could be anyone.

5.30 Handicap Hurdle

All still going here, West To The Bridge has been joined at the front now by Hollow Sound.

5.30 Handicap Hurdle

And we are off!

West To The Bridge is the early leader.

Sad times

So here we are - we have reached the final race of the 2023 Festival.

Booooo.

Twenty-one runners in this, looks an open affair.

Favourite is Cool Survivor, at 4-1, Sam Ewing is the jockey on board.

The run goes on!

4.50 Mares’ Chase - FULL RESULT

1st - Impervious 15-8

2nd - Allegorie De Vassy 13-8

3rd - Pink Legend 33-1

4th - Zambella 22-1

5th - Elimay 20-1

6th - Jeremys Flame 15-2

7th - Dolcita 25-1

4.50 Mares’ Chase

IMPERVIOUS WINS IT

15-8

4.50 Mares’ Chase

Pink Legend is still heating things up at the top.

Jeremy's Flame is switched off at the back.

4.50 Mares’ Chase

Drama already! Magic Daze refused to race!

One out already. Pink Legend, that has been backed in, leads early on.

4.50 Mares' Chase

So we move now towards the penultimate race of the final day of the Festival.

Allegorie De Vassy is the 13-8 fav for this one, but there are a few interesting contenders.

THE FINAL MOMENTS!

Mares’ Hurdle FULL RESULT

1st - Premier Magic – 66-1

2nd - It’s On The Line – 28-1

3rd - Shantou Flyer – 50-1

4th - Rocky's Howya 11-1

5th - Chris's Dream 7-1

6th - Famous Clermont

7th -Vaucelet 9-4

8th - Bob And Co

9th - Le Malin 40-1

Mares' Hurdle QUICK RESULT

Premier Magic - 66-1

It's On The Line - 28-1

Shantou Flyer - 50-1

4.10 Mares' Hurdle

Rock's How'Ya and Premier Magic are here, Famous Clermont is stalking...

4.10 Mares’ Hurdle

Three fences to go - this could be an exciting finish here!!!

4.10 Mares’ Hurdle

The loose horse couuld give some problems here - it is at the front end now.

4.10 Mares' Hurdle

So the defending champ is already out of the race.

Plenty of horses are making some big errors here with one circuit to go...