Native River's victory was hewn from the very bedrock of the staying chaser

If you like your epics undiluted, your steel hardened, your hearts unflinching and memories imperishable then Cheltenham was the place to be on Friday when Native River won a seismic struggle to edge out Might Bite in a ferociously, utterly compelling Gold Cup.

Talk of none but the brave. This was one of those races that made your heart go out to the combatants and shake your head in wonder at just how inspirational among God's creatures the staying chaser can be.

This was down to bedrock stuff. Native River was harried every yard of the way by Might Bite and all the way down the hill it looked just a matter of time before the favourite would live up to his name and sink his teeth in.