Gemirande rewards Charlie Deutsch’s weight loss with December Gold Cup

Majborough, last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner, made a successful debut over fences in the Beginners’ Chase at Fairyhouse and was immediately cut to around 6-1 for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham on 11 March.

Sat, 14 Dec, 2024 - 15:40

Greg Wood

Charlie Deutsch tipped the scales at 10st 2lb for the first time in almost a year before the December Gold Cup and the effort of getting down to his minimum weight proved highly worthwhile as the frontrunning Gemirande, at 11-2, held off the late challenge of Madara, the 11-4 favourite, to land the €85,300 (£71,000) first prize by a length.

Harry Skelton, aboard Madara, seemed poised to claim another valuable prize for his brother Dan’s stable as he turned for home on the heels of Gemirande with plenty of running left and they were in the air together at the last. Madara then moved to within a neck of the lead on the run-in, only for Gemirande to find more for Deutsch’s urging and edge away once more in the final strides.