'The most dramatic on-course incident in a long time' - the week's big winners

The Racing Post's awards will honour the best (and sometimes worst) performances and raise talking points from the last seven days of racing. This week's winners are . . .

Race of the week

Paddy Power Gold Cup

What a joy it was, not only to have the return of a vibrant Cheltenham featuring full crowds and a healthy Irish challenge, but to have the feature race of the weekend deliver in spades as Midnight Shadow produced a rousing and dramatic victory for trainer Sue Smith and jockey Ryan Mania.

Midnight Shadow pecks on landing after the last with the chasing pack bearing downCredit: Edward Whitaker

On the turn for home, it looked like Coole Cody was set to repeat his front-running heroics from last year before he came unstuck at the second-last. That left Midnight Shadow well clear of his challengers before a blunder of his own at the last left Mania clinging on.

The pair recovered, albeit with their momentum lost and with the chasing pack bearing down, but just had enough in hand to hold off Protektorat in a barnstorming finish.

King George aim for 'once in a lifetime' Midnight Shadow after Paddy Power win

Moment of the week

My Drogo v Gin On Lime

After complaints over small fields in the build-up to a second match-race in the space of six days in Britain, it was only natural that the showdown between My Drogo and Gin On Lime would then provide the most dramatic on-course incident in a long time.

Rachael Blackmore performs a miracle sit on Gin On Lime after drama at the second-lastCredit: RacingTV

After My Drogo came unstuck at the dastardly second-last, Gin On Lime looked like following him out and making the race void when blundering at the same time, only for Rachael Blackmore to display tremendous balance and agility to stay in the saddle despite her mount sprawling.

'Luck was on our side' - Blackmore performs incredible sit to win match race

Upset of the week

HerecomesFreddie

A 66-1 winner who hit 999-1 in running overturning an odds-on favourite – now that's an upset.

Despite his name, nobody saw HerecomesFreddie coming in the bumper at Huntingdon on Tuesday as he was tailed off and seemingly out of contention at halfway before rallying for jockey Richard Patrick and reversing form with the favourite Alazwar from their previous clash a month ago by a staggering 30 lengths.

HerecomesFreddie hits 999-1 in running before shock bumper win

Feelgood moment of the week

Philip Rothwell

Among a stream of heartwarming tales to emerge from Cheltenham's three-day November meeting, top of the pile was Philip Rothwell's emotional reaction to Mc Alpine's victory in the closing contest at Cheltenham on Friday.

Philip Rothwell (second from left) punches the air after MC Alpine's victory at Cheltenham on FridayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

It brought to an end a 15-year wait for his second Prestbury Park winner, and Rothwell couldn't hold back the tears of joy in the aftermath.

Tears of joy for Rothwell after Mc Alpine's 33-1 win at the course he adores

Debut of the week

Jpr One

Colin Tizzard highlighted Jpr One as one of his nicest novice hurdlers and one to follow for the season in his recent Racing Post stable tour. His judgement looks spot on, even if it was missed by the market as the four-year-old was sent off at 12-1 against highly touted rivals Luttrell Lad and I Am Maximus at Exeter on Wednesday.

To beat those two more experienced and clearly smart horses on his debut marks him out as potentially something special.

Watch: Jpr One wins at Exeter on Wednesday

Ride of the week

James Bowen

For many jockeys, winning when losing a rein early on may mark as one of your finest achievements, for Bowen it was simply another day at the office.

The 20-year-old rider won on Mot A Mot at Chepstow in February after breaking a rein in the first furlong, and he repeated the trick at Market Rasen on Thursday when losing a rein on Peejaybee in the 2m½f maiden hurdle before seemingly effortlessly keeping his mount straight on the run-in.

'It was no problem' - James Bowen delivers a one-rein masterclass again

Festival eyecatcher of the week

Knight Salute

Does 20-1 for the Triumph Hurdle underestimate this improving juvenile? Friday's JCB Triumph Trial is traditionally an informative contest but his performance is perhaps being overlooked given he comes from a stable less fashionable than some.

Milton Harris is one of the hottest trainers in Britain at present and Knight Salute made the step up to Grade 2 company impeccably, leaving Harris with a potential festival contender on his hands.

Watch: Knight Salute wins the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Trial

Read more from The Last Word . . .

'The fall transformed the race' – Leighton Aspell with his big-race verdict

The Cook Review: Skelton rollercoaster peaks at the right moment with a joyous Sunday double

Racing Post Ratings Analysis: don't judge My Drogo on mishap, we saw enough to know he's really exciting

Catch our new in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Grand National-winning jockey Leighton Aspell, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, weekly awards and more, it is not to be missed.