Aintree comes to Cheltenham as loose horse threatens to cause late drama in centenary Gold Cup
Loose horses taking a hand in proceedings: that's for the Grand National. We don't expect it in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, a serious contest in which the excitement comes purely from competition, not from jockeys flying in all directions. So it was novel to see the riderless Fastorslow with the leaders on the home turn and to fret about what might happen next.
Not for him the easy option of running out or easing down. He stuck by the side of L'Homme Presse down the hill and into the straight, attacking the final fences with a relish that warmed the heart, so long as that heart did not belong to Willie Mullins.
The trainer of Galopin Des Champs would much rather have seen Fastorslow drift out of the picture, where he could do no harm. How many times have we seen a loose horse change direction in front of a fence and wipe someone out?
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
inReports
- Auteuil: Kolokico storms home to hand first Grade 1 success to Lord Daresbury, Emmanuel Clayeux and Nicolas Gauffenic
- Newmarket: Ancient Truth set for Superlative and not Royal Ascot after winning debut for Charlie Appleby
- Capannelle: Veteran Andrasch Starke strikes in Derby Italiano with Borna as Andrew Balding’s Royal Supremacy claims second
- Ripon: 'We'll have a bit of fun with her' - Radio Goo Goo hits her winning tune again for David Evans
- Stratford: 'I really fancied him to go well' - The Boola Boss romps home to justify confidence from Rebecca Curtis
- Auteuil: Kolokico storms home to hand first Grade 1 success to Lord Daresbury, Emmanuel Clayeux and Nicolas Gauffenic
- Newmarket: Ancient Truth set for Superlative and not Royal Ascot after winning debut for Charlie Appleby
- Capannelle: Veteran Andrasch Starke strikes in Derby Italiano with Borna as Andrew Balding’s Royal Supremacy claims second
- Ripon: 'We'll have a bit of fun with her' - Radio Goo Goo hits her winning tune again for David Evans
- Stratford: 'I really fancied him to go well' - The Boola Boss romps home to justify confidence from Rebecca Curtis