2005 Day Four Results

02:00 PM JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)

What a fantastic finish to the juvenile championship, with Penzance coming out on top in a driving finish over Faasel. Wearing the silks of the Elite Racing Club, Robert Thornton was always going well from just off the pace and made his move on the home turn. The form former useful Flat horse hung a bit to his right as he went about his business, but showed guts and determination to hold on. The favourite Akilak never looked like he was going to get there, while Cerium dropped away in the straight, and Carte Diamond was pulled up after the last. He had caused a bit of concern at the start and maybe lost his chance before the tapes eventually went up. The result was a good one for trainer Alan King-he backed his charge at odds of 40-1!

Winning Jockey: Mr C J Sweeney

02:35 PM Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)

Jockey Robert Thornton was the man to follow as he completed a quick double courtesy of Moulin Riche. The French raider was settled in mid-division as Gaelic Music and Senor Sedona forced the pace. That pair contrived to squeeze out Bewley's Berry at the fifth and down he came. The favourite Brewster came through to dispute the lead, and Washington Lad was going well on the inside. Thames made a mistake back in the field but improved his position. Bob Bob Bobbin and Over The Creek both made headway and at three out it was wide-open. Brewster commited but was taken on by Bob Bob Bobbin, and then all of a sudden Moulin Riche came racing on the outside. In a driving finish, the latter held on from Over The Creek and the rallying Brewster.

Winning Jockey: P Carberry
Unplaced Favourites: L'Ange Au Ciel (FR)(9/2)

03:15 PM totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Anybody who thought that Kicking King would not stay up the hill was made to eat humble pie as Barry Geraghty sauntered home on the favourite. He stalked the leaders on the King George winner and once he had eased into the lead three out it was a formality, although a mention must be given to outsider Make The Stand who gave him a bit of a fright, until the final fence at least. Last year's runner-up Sir Rembrandt finished a well-beaten third, while the likes of Strong Flow, Celestial Gold and Beef Or Salmon were left trailing in the wake of Tom Taffe's stable-star. Roll on next year and a clash with Best Mate!

04:00 PM Christie's Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup

The big question was whether the one-eyed Sleeping Night would get his jumping together round here. He answered that in emphatic fashion as young Irishman Colman Sweeney coaxed him around from just off the pace before taking over when the pacemaking The Whipper departed four out. From then on he had to get busy but saw off the challenge of Foly Pleasant all the way to the line to give the owners some compensation for the loss of a couple of good animals last year. Lord Atterbury got round safely and may go to Aintree, but old Earthmover never figured in his bid for a record third success in the race and was always in arrears.

04:40 PM Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

A great day for the Irish was made even better as Fota Island saw off a host of challenges at the final fence to give Paul Carberry another winner at the Festival. Held up throughout as Jericho III and Figaro Du Rocher made the running, he was brought through approaching the last before holding on from the fast-finishing Bambi de L'Orme, with the Nicky Henderson-trained pair, Carraciola and Tysou in third and fourth. So, no poignant victory for the Seven Barrows handler, with the race named after his father. As for the other fancied runners- L'Ange Au Ciel was never going well and made a bad mistake down the far side, while Almaydan dropped away very tamely. Poor old Tony McCoy, without a Festival win to his credit, got no further than the first on the not so aptly named Great Travel.

05:20 PM Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

There were so many in with chances here, but in the end, none of the fancied runners came up trumps in the getting-out stakes. It was Martin Pipe who had the final say with a horse that lined up from way out of the handicap in the shape of Fontanesi, who came swooping late up the hill to catch Stance. The fast pace obviously suited him and although he will be hit by the handicapper, he should be noted if turned out again quickly. The runner-up ran much better than he did in the Imperial Cup and is another that can add to his tally before the season is over, possibly in something like the Swinton Hurdle. Borora made a lot of ground up to finish third, while Grande Jete hung on to fourth despite making a mistake at the last. The gambled-on Beechcourt never figured and this run is best forgotten.