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1 Il Ridoto 10/1
2 Ga Law 9/2
3 Lets Go Champ 15/2
15 ran Distances: 4½l, 1½l, 1¾l
Time: 4m 59.53s (fast by 0.47s)
Third time lucky for Il Ridoto!
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) November 16, 2024
After being placed in 2022 & 23 he finally wins the @paddypower Gold Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/exlw8u7JeP
Il Ridoto finally claimed victory in the race on his third attempt, with rising star Freddie Gingell delivering a standout performance in the saddle. Trained by Paul Nicholls, the gelding had finished fourth in 2022 and third in 2023, but this time he triumphed, shaking off the disappointment of last season.
Gingell, claiming 3lb, seized his opportunity on the 10-1 chance, continuing a remarkable run for co-owners Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson. They cruised to a four-and-a-half-length victory over 2022 winner Ga Law.
“It’s days like this we really dream of,” Gingell said. “Down the hill, I saw Harry Cobden give Ginny’s Destiny, our stablemate, a little squeeze and thought, ‘I’m still happy here.’ He did it really well in the end. A big thanks to everyone at home and all the owners. It’s amazing.”
“I was told to be nice and handy. He was jumping for fun and just flew over the third fence down the hill. I thought I’d got there too soon, but Paul told me to kick on when I turned in, no matter what, so I did, and he made it look easy.”
Reflecting on where this victory ranks in his burgeoning career, Gingell said, “It’s right up there. I can’t probably top the Grade One win on Elixir De Nutz in the Clarence House at Ascot in January yet, but it’s definitely up there.”
Il Ridoto’s triumph was a testament to persistence and skill, setting the stage for more exciting races to come.
Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
£150,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 44y, Class 1
15 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Il Ridoto 7 10-2 Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell 10/1
2 4½ Ga Law 8 11-2 Jamie Snowden Gavin Sheehan 9/2
3 1½ Lets Go Champ 9 10-2 Henry De Bromhead Mike O'Connor 15/2
4 1¾ Madara 5 10-2 Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell 16/1
5 5½ Fugitif 9 10-13 Richard Hobson Sean Bowen
6 4 Protektorat 9 12-0 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 9/1
7 8½ Janidil 10 11-0 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 40/1
8 6½ Straw Fan Jack 9 10-2 Sheila Lewis Sean Houlihan 40/1
9 25 Hartur d'Arc 7 10-2 Gavin Cromwell Jonathan Burke 33/1
PU
Ginny's Destiny 8 11-2 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 3/1F
PU
Jetoile 9 10-6 Ryan Potter Dylan Johnston 66/1
PU
Weveallbeencaught 7 10-2 Christian Williams Jack Tudor 20/1
PU
Imagine 6 10-6 Harry Derham Paul O'Brien 6/1
PU
Editeur Du Gite 10 11-1 Gary & Josh Moore Niall Houlihan 100/1
UR In Excelsis Deo 6 10-4 Harry Fry Bryan Carver 8/1
