16:02 That’s it from a great International meeting, some cracking racing over the two days, all the more special after the spate of abandonments over the past fortnight.

No doubt we will see several of this weekends winners back her in March – I cannot wait.

15:57 An open contest on paper with three co-favourites and one of them, Mossley, obliging – ending a hard day for the layers.  

It was one of the other co-favourites, Golden Chieftan, who headed the field until fading halfway through the second circuit.

Old Wigmore was prominent and took up the running once Golden Chieftan faded, however his lead was short lived.

The race was effectively a three horse contest coming to the last with Mossley, Join Together and Teaforthree all in with chances. The latter duo having been in the van throughout.

Mossley had the advantage of the stands rail and Barry Geraghty drove him home to record a 1¼ length victory, with Join Together taking second place, two lengths clear of Teaforthree.

15:35 Our final contest is the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Registered as the Bristol Novices’ Hurdle) a three mile contest with ten running in the gathering gloom.

15:22 Well the two pretenders were unable to hold a candle to Menorah as Philip Hobbs stable star comes home four and a half lengths clear of Cue Card and Silviniaco Conti in a great renewal of the International.     

Menorah’s stablemate and pacemaker Nicene Creed set off at a breakneck pace, almost negating his role as the others failed to go with his pace.

The main pack were headed by Silviniaco Conti, with Menorah and Cue Card running together in third and fourth.

Three out Nicene Creed was back to the field, allowing Silviniaco Conti to take up the running.

By the bottom of the hill it was between the big three, although Clerk’s Choice was doing his best to join in the party, but not for long.

Richard Johnson sent Menorah into the lead between the final two flights and once in front never looked like losing the race, pulling clear up the hill.

Cue Card and Silviniaco Conti battled hard up the hill with Cue Card getting a half length advantage on the line.

The Tote now make Menorah 7/2 fav for the Champion Hurdle.

One to take out of the race is Cristal Bonus who looked good on his UK debut.

14:57 The feature race of the meeting is the stanjames.com International Hurdle over 2m 1f with nine chasing the money.

The “big three” Silviniaco Conti, Cue Card and Menorah all look great in the parade ring.

Cristal Bonus is on his toes whilst Clerk’s Choice and Nicene Creed are jig-jogging.

14:46 Little Josh’s bid to follow up his recent course win looked good until they turned for home, when a combination of late chargers and him tiring saw him finish only fifth.

No such stamina problems for last years winner Poquelin who hit the front approaching the last and repelled the challenge of Great Endeavour to record a length victory, although he was a 16/1 shot the roars from the crowd suggest he was not unsupported.

Mad max kept Little Josh company in front before he tired coming down the hill.

Calgary Bay was in a challenging position but did not have the extra when it counted and he was eventually beaten into fourth place by the fast finishing Sunnyhillboy who nabbed fourth.

Dave’s Dream was backed into favouritism but the dream was shattered as he ran a nightmare race.

Noble Alan, stepping up in class, was in a challenging position as they came down the hill but did not have what was required when it mattered.

14:22 Next of the feature races is the Vote AP Gold Cup, with 16 competing over 2m 5f.

14:12 Well after his somewhat indifferent season last year Master Minded has returned with a vengeance, taking the delayed Tingle Creek as he wanted by an easy eight lengths but value for more.

I’m So Lucky and Petit Robin battled out the running, opening up a huge lead. Super-sub Noel Fehily had no worries as he eventually settled Master Minded at the head of the main group.

Even coming down the hill the front duo still had a massive lead but slowly, almost imperceptibly, Master Minded closed the gap.

The roar from the crowd soon told you he was in a challenging position and turning for home there was only going to be one winner.

I’m So Lucky was the first to crack but Petit Robin’s days in front were numbered as Master Minded swept into the lead and he was bought home almost in a hack canter.

Petit Robin held on for second spot and Somersby, who turned over coming out of the parade ring, came home a credible third, with I’m So Lucky back in fourth spot.

13:48 Better late than never we have, a week late, the Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase, with nine facing the starter in the extended two mile contest.

Master Minded, as always, dominates the parade ring, he has almost an arrogant strut and he has two handlers to keep him under control.

Kinkeel and Oiseau de Nuit were both slightly jig-jogging in the ring, whilst Mahogany Blaze is a head shaker.       

13:36 Well the run of winning favourites comes to an end as McCoy shows what a good jockey he is getting Karabak home after looking beaten after the last.

There was a huge roar as the field turned for home and the favourite Zaynar headed the field, however the delight of favourite backers was soon short lived as Barry Geraghty was soon working hard to chivvy him along.

McCoy soon passed Zaynar and it looked like being an easy victory for the cnamp, however Jason Maguire on Any Given Day was not going to let McCoy have an easy victory as he came with a late charge, actually having the temerity to head the 15 times champ.

McCoy was unfazed though and getting his head down he soon regained the advantage, eventually coming home 1¾ lengths clear.

Celestial Halo took third spot, whilst Zaynar was a well beaten fourth.

13:13 It is beginning to get a bit chilly now as we come to race four, the Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle, a Grade 2 contest over the extended 2½ miles, with 12 going to post.

The absentee is Afsoun, who was bought down here yesterday afternoon.

All the runners, bar two, were on their toes to a greater or lesser extent.

13:04 Yet another impressive winner as the bookies take a caning in the opening three races, with Time For Rupert coming home the easy winner on the Novices’ Chase.

Balthazar King set the early pace, soon to be headed by Quinz who hit the front the fourth fence, opening up a decent lead.

Time For Rupert and Cannington Brook battled it out for third spot with the other four a few lengths behind.

Benota was pulled up whit what looked like a serious leg injury after the fifth fence.

Quinz still held a healthy lead as they came down the hill but William Kennedy on the favourite was quietly closing the gap, along with Chicago Grey.

Turning for home Time For Rupert was upsides the leader and by the last was ahead.

12:39 Race three is the DRS Contracts Novices’ Chase, an extended 3m 1f contest with eight going to post.

12:26 Another winning favourite as Sam Winner emerges as another potential Nicholls star, tahking the Triumph Hurdle Trial with relative ease.

Settled behind the leaders by Noel Fehily, he made progress coming down the hill to lead approaching the final flight and, once in front, never looked to be in any danger.

Pullyourfingerout, under McCoy, was always prominent but had to settle for second spot, losing nothing in defeat.

Akula was also an eye catcher in third, and it is unlikely she will ever go off at 50/1 again.

12:05 Our second contest is the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial, a 2m 1f contest with a dozen lining up.

Pantxoa is a negative in the parade ring, really fighting his two handlers  as, to a lesser extent, is Kayef.

Tom Wade, A Media Luz and Sam Winner also slightly on toes. Green Art, by contrast, is very relaxed.

11:53 A good start to the day for favourite backers as Woolcombe Folly takes the opener with something in hand.

Having been settled mid-division he made progress down the hill, taking the lead from Tanks For That approaching the last and pulling clear up the hill.

Fiendish Flame headed a group of four in the van, accompanied by Grand Lahou, Mam Ratagan and Fiendish Flame.

By the top of the hill Tanks For That and Mam Ratagan had a clear advantage with Woolcombe Folly on their heels and Fiendish Flame hanging on in the slipstream.

Mam Ratagan was the first to crack and by the time they swung for home it was effectively a two horse race, with the jolly always looking the better.

Fiendish Flame led the chasing group home, with Cornas taking fourth prize money.

Tramantano, in the colours of the sponsor, came home in fifth spot.

11:34 The opening race on this eight race bumper card is the Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase, an extended two mile contest with 13 competing, Tartak being the non-runner.

Cornas is slightly on his toes and jig-jogging around the ring, Fiendish Flame, Consigliere are pulling slightly.

Safari Journey a head shaker. Best on looks I’msingingtheblues.

10:40 Good morning from an overcast Cheltenham, where it feels a little warmer than yesterday.

We have a handful of non-runners, details on the right.

07:55 There has been a little drizzle overnight but the going remains Good, Good to Soft in places.

As was the case yesterday the first fence in the back straight is omitted.

An early start as the eight race card gets underway at 11:40.

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

11:40
6 Tartak (runnninbg in 1st pref race - 09:31)

12:45
9 Picture This (lame - SC 18:01 Fri)

13:20
Afsoun (stiff - SC 08:07)

13:55
10 Twist Magic (other - 09:46)

15:40
10 Smooth Classic (Bruised Foot - VC 08:39)

Results

11:40 Handicap Chase 2m 110yds

12:10 Juvenile Hurdle 2m 1f

12:45 Novices' Chase 3m 1f 110yds

13:20 Relkeel Hurdle 2m 4f 110yds

13:55 Tingle Creek Chase 2m 110yds

14:30 Gold Cup 2m 5f

15:05 International Hurdle 2m 1f

15:40 Novices' Hurdle 3m