Coneygree’s Gold Cup victory a very British result in a festival dominated by Irish success

Coneygree’s victory in yesterday’s Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup was a very British result in a Festival dominated by Irish success. 

Owned, trained, and bred in Britain, the eight-year-old belied his inexperience and resisted a strong overseas challenge to reward the brave decision of connections to take on the big guns with their inexperienced charge.

Many doubted the wisdom of pitching the gelding in at the deep end – it was 41 years since a novice, Captain Christy, last won the coveted Blue Riband of National Hunt racing, after all — but vindication for trainer Mark Bradstock came with a gloriously valiant, heart-on-the-sleeve display from horse and rider.