15 March 2024 , 13:49
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All eyes were on Cheltenham on Friday, with the Gold Cup the headline event.
Ahead of the showpiece, with Galopin Des Champs fancied for success, there was a busy programme in the calendar. First up was the JCB Triumph Hurdle, won by Majborough, with Absurde and Stellar Story upsetting the odds in the next two races.
There was no upset in the Gold Cup, though. Galopin Des Champs and jockey Paul Townend didn't panic in the face of a loose horse, and secured back-to-back wins.
After an entertaining first few days, there was plenty to look forward to on Friday. Here Mirror Sport has all the results for you as they come in.
13:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle
1st - Majborough 6-1
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2nd - Kargese 4-1
3rd - Salver 10-1
Kargese led going into the last, only for Majborough to finish strong for the win. "Fantastic. I was surprised at his price, he was my pick of the day," trainer Willie Mullins said.
What did you make of Friday's action? Let us know in the comments section
Majborough won the JCB Triumph Hurdle, the first race of the day (Getty Images)14:10 BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle
1st - Absurde 12-1
2nd - L'Eau du Sud 7-2F
3rd - Pied Piper 14-1
4th - Magical Zoe 8-1
Back to back wins means Willie Mullins was guaranteed to finish the week as top trainer with races to spare. "I got a lot of satisfaction out of that, I'll tell you the truth. What a horse," winning jockey Paul Townend told ITV Sport after the win.
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14:50 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Stellar Story made up ground late on to win from The Jukebox Man (Getty Images)1st - Stellar Story 33-1
2nd - The Jukebox Man 18-1
3rd - Dancing City 8-1
"What a run though," Harry Redknapp, owner of The Jukebox Man, told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It was a great run. We have a nice horse and he jumped the last well but that's racing.
"Yesterday we got home, today we just missed out but we have had two great runs from two lovely horses. I've had a smashing couple of days If you had said coming here that I would have a winner and one that runs so well, I'd have taken it."
15:30 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup
Galopin Des Champs winning the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup (Getty Images)1st - Galopin Des Champs 10-11 FAV
2nd - Gerri Colombe 13-2
3rd - Corach Rambler 14-1
"I rode him completely different to last year and he was so brave for me," winning Jockey Paul Townend said. "I was afraid we didn't have enough but it's the Gold Cup so we had to go for it."
Townend was asked by ITV Sport what makes the horse a winner after back-to-back successes. "His heart, probably", was Townend's response.
There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.
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