Records went flying out the window as Paul Townend brought Galopin des Champs home for a second Gold Cup.
Willie Mullins said that last weekend they thought they had the right team for a good week. They didn't. They had the team for a great week.
Unsurprisingly Mullins is champion trainer again and Paul Townend leading jockey.
But back to the 100th Gold Cup: the going was changed from heavy to soft before the Cup but it was still tough going. This was the first time in many years that the "heavy" had been used for the going. Fasterorslow lost his rider but that didn't seem to matter to the horse who kept on going right through the race at the front of the field and caused a number of anxious moments to the others. Geri Colombe again had another view of Galopin's rear quarters finishing 3 ½ lengths second and Corach Rambler stumbled in for third. Our roughie Jungle Boogie was doing well and finished but faded towards the end, one of the many who found the going taxing.
Earlier in the card Majborough started the afternoon off well for Mullins – Mark Walsh on this one with stablemate Kargese second and the non-Mullins Salver third – Gary Moore and Gary Sheehan involved here.
Not a Mullins runner in the first two in the Albert Bartlett – the win went to Elliott's Stellar Story 33/1 from The Jukebox Man 19/1 with the Mullins name reappearing with the third Dancing City 8/1 and our roughie Spread Boss Ted was fourth having started at 40/1. Readin Tommy Wrong was pulled up and Gidleigh Park sixth.
Later the Mares Chase saw Limerick Lace turn the tables on favourite Dinoblue to the delight of Gavin Cromwell. And our roughie Marsh Wren was third at 28/1.