'This is the icing on the cake': Willie Mullins celebrates Cheltenham Gold Cup double

Willie Mullins waited a long time to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup but, having finally got his hands on the prize he craved most last year, he was again the toast of Prestbury Park today after 100-30 favourite Al Boum Photo provided another picture-perfect moment.

In victory, Al Boum Photo became the first horse since the great Best Mate to retain the Festival’s showpiece and gave Midleton jockey Paul Townend a fifth win of the week, a success that saw him crowned the week’s leading jockey at the expense of Meath’s Barry Geraghty, who also had five winners, but lost out on placed finishes.