Paul Townend made history on Friday, as he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup for a fourth time in ruthless fashion.
It had been a week to remember for Townend leading into Gold Cup day, having taken five wins in the lead-in to the main event on Friday afternoon.
Townend entered the Gold Cup with Galopin des Champs, and the 10/11 favourite did not disappoint, giving the Corkman a record-equalling fourth win in the prestigious event. Only Pat Taaffe matches that tally of four Gold Cup wins.
In the aftermath of the race, Ruby Walsh broke down what had made Townend's ride to victory on Friday such a special one.
Opt in to Ladbrokes' Matched Bet Offer to claim a Free Bet up €5: https://buff.ly/3IAsH2n 18+ | Bet Responsibly | https://buff.ly/3wNx0Ve
READ HERE: Ferguson And Redknapp Win Big At Cheltenham
READ HERE: Cheltenham Results: All The Winners And Reaction From Gold Cup Day
Paul Townend takes fourth Cheltenham Gold Cup win
This was not just Paul Townend's fourth victory in the Gold Cup, but his second back-to-back with Galopin des Champs. He has now won four of the last six runnings of this event, and appears to have reached a new level with his performances this week.
"@PTownend has now put himself into the history books...He's riding at the top of his. He's delivering on the biggest stage constantly" 💬 @Ruby_Walsh #ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/e30y8uCiZ2
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 15, 2024
Townend and the rest of the pack had to deal with the obstacle of Fastorslow without jockey JJ Slevin. Thankfully, Slevin was uninjured from his fall.
Speaking on ITV after the Gold Cup, Ruby Walsh argued that the calmness with which Townend had dealt with the loose horse alongside him at the race's conclusion summed up a stellar race:
The fourth last was the only time there was a bit of an incident for Galopin Des Champs.
When he jumps this, Paul Townend goes to keep in the horse on his inside. He has a look on his inside and realises he's loose, he thinks, 'well, I can't ride a loose one.'
So what does he do? He pulls back, gets behind him, jumps this fence, and tucks inside FastOrSlow. He's coming into Charlie Deustch but when he comes in, FastOrSlow comes with him and Paul Townend now has to go back on the other side and wait, and then make a decision.
He goes on his outside to the second last...then Paul lays it all out to the last. One, two, go on Galopin - and he flies it for him.
There is now no jockey with more Gold Cup wins than Paul Townend, and Walsh went on to say that his fellow Irishman had earned his place in the history books:
Like AP has said, Paul Townend has now put himself into the history books. He's level with Pat Taaffe, he's riding at the top of his game, he's delivering on the biggest stage constantly.
Every time he goes by the line, he thanks the same person. He's a gent.
SEE ALSO: Irishman Had Hilarious Response To Boisterous English Punters At Cheltenham
