Yesterday we witnessed one of the most exciting Cheltenham Gold Cups in history. Three previous winners and the ‘new kid on the block’ came together in a most exciting run to the finish, the event only soured a little when last year’s winner was pulled up just after the second last fence with a burst blood vessel. Not only was the finish exciting, but it set several records. One record which won’t be broken for a long time is that of the winning rider, an amateur in the sport, and a dentist by day.
Sam Waley-Cohen is a full-time dentist by profession. He is also the son of Robert Waley-Cohen, owner of Long Run, the eventual winner of yesterday’s Gold Cup. Long Run was sent out favourite with bookmakers after being backed in by punters and has become the first six year old to win the race since 1933. Waley-Cohen is the first amateur in thirty years, and most definitely the first dentist, to ever ride a winner in the Gold Cup. The decision by Ladbrokes to take on Imperial Commander paid off with the horse not finishing the race.
What of the others? History books will show that Denman and Kauto Star finished second and third. Those that saw the race will remember the four horses challenging each other coming to the home straight. Imperial Commander was the first to crack with his rider pulling him up after the second last fence. While Long Run powered away to a seven-length win, the two old timers (both aged eleven) just didn’t have the legs to catch him – they still stayed on, however.
What about Long Run, where’s his future? You can bet on him being back to defend his title next season. Aintree? Probably not. He’s not really suited to the track. He’s certainly not a Grand National type of horse. Perhaps another crack at the King George VI Chase, which he won back in January, or a brief run in France in the Champion Hurdle at Auteuil. He’s only six so there are plenty of opportunities for him in the future. In the mean time, we can all sit back and ponder what was a great Cheltenham Gold Cup.

