Long Run triumphs for amateur Sam Waley-Cohen in Cheltenham Gold Cup

Corinthian spirit brought the Cheltenham Festival to an incredible high as the amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen captured an unforgettable Totesport Gold Cup run in a record time aboard the 7-2 favourite Long Run. In a sensational conclusion to a race which will go down as one of the all-time classics, Long Run galloped to the final fence alongside former champions Denman and Kauto Star. If a weakness was to be found in either jockey or horse, it would come now. But instead, Long Run winged the final fence and stretched clear to beat Denman (8-1) by seven lengths with Kauto Star (5-1) just holding off the late challenge of What A Friend for third as champion trainer Paul Nicholls saddled second, third and fourth. Next week it will be back to the day job for Waley-Cohen, the manager of a dental practice business, but what a story he will have to tell for the rest of his life. "It's a surreal moment," he said. "At some of the fences he jumped so big that as you went through the air, you thought 'I just hope he manages to land'. It was unbelievable." His father, Robert Waley-Cohen, who bought Long Run from France specifically in the hope of an achievement such as this, was left in tears. "I'm so elated I can't describe how I am feeling," he said. "I thought the chance had gone coming down the hill but he rallied and met the last flying. This is why you get into racing. I'm so proud of Sam. He was spectacular." The winning trainer Nicky Henderson was also wearing his heart on his sleeve afterwards. "It was a proper race," he said. "All the big boys were there and Sam has given him a beautiful ride. For an amateur, a jockey who doesn't get to go and ride on the gallops every morning like the others, to go and do this is amazing. "He was never going to be allowed any quarter by the professionals but he's got a cool head and that was a big help for him. Apart from a couple of messy jumps, he really got him jumping. It was magnificent." Nicholls also paid tribute to the winner, saying: "I'm not in any way disappointed that we didn't win, they were absolutely awesome. Denman, Kauto Star and What A Friend have all run their hearts out, but there's a changing of the guard now and Long Run is the champion." Last year's winner Imperial Commander was disputing the lead when making a mistake at the third-last fence. The jockey Paddy Brennan subsequently reported that the horse had pulled up lame. Henderson and his stable jockey Barry Geraghty had earlier ended a frustrating week of near-misses when the well-backed Bobs Worth (15-8) took the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle from stablemate Mossley. "I've got to feel sorry for Michael Buckley, the owner of the runner-up, as he has been with me all week and we've kept just missing out, but this is a welcome result," said Henderson. Geraghty played a major part in the horse's early career, buying him from the breeder before subsequently selling him to syndicate made up of the trainer and a group of friends. "They'll know how to celebrate tonight," said Henderson. Bobs Worth was quoted at 10-1 by William Hill for both the World Hurdle and the RSA Chase next season. A half-brother to champion mare Zarkava, few horses running at this week's Festival will have as immaculate a pedigree as Zarkandar and the 13-2 chance upheld the family name when taking the Triumph Hurdle by 2¼ lengths from Unaccompanied. Zarkandar's success also provided jockey Daryl Jacob with a first Festival victory. "I'm so grateful for the owners for letting me keep the ride after I was on board when he won first time out," he said. "He took me into the race at the right time and I am so impressed with him." Final Approach set a new record when becoming the 11th Irish-trained winner of the week as he edged out Get Me Out Of Here in a photo-finish for the County Hurdle. Victory left Ruby Walsh clear in the top jockey standings for the Festival with five winners.