Keith Melrose assesses how a complicated Cheltenham Gold Cup unfolded

Double delight: leading festival jockey Paul Townend enjoys the winning feeling aboard dual Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo

It is an unusually crowded picture at the finish to the Gold CupCredit: Michael Steele

In the first of a new series dissecting all the big races at Cheltenham, betting editor Keith Melrose takes an in-depth look at the Gold Cup, won by Al Boum Photo.

The 2020 Gold Cup will enjoy a historic shelf life, as Al Boum Photo became just the eighth multiple winner of the race.

The race also provided plenty of drama, primarily due to the bunched finish. Neither is a particularly promising sign for a good Gold Cup. On RPRs, the winner's rating of 176 is just average for the last ten years and Racing Post handicapper Steve Mason has suggested that figure is as high as he can realistically reach.

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

Published on 19 March 2020inSeries

Last updated 16:24, 18 June 2020

Copy