Gold Cup Winner 2013
Winner: Bobs Worth
Betting Odds: 11/4
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Owner: The Not Afraid Partnership
The 85th annual running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) sponsored by Betfred, a bookmakers based in the United Kingdom, founded by Fred Done. It was first established as a single betting shop in Ordsall, Salford, in 1967. Its turnover in 2004 was £3.5 billion.
A going description of soft.
Win prize money of £313,225 A winning time of 7m 5.06s (slow by 15:06s).
This eight-year-old gelding, a son of Bob Back out of a once-raced mare Fashionista. Bred by Mrs. L. Eadie, in the ownership of The Not Afraid Partnership, trained by Nicky Henderson. Bobs Worth was purchased as a yearling for 16,500 (Euros) by Barry Geraghty, but later purchased by Highflyer/N. Henderson as a 4yo for £20,000. He was trained for the entirety of his racing career at Upper Lambourn, Berkshire, England.
Bobs Worth made his debut as a five-year-old at Kempton on the 12th February 2010. In a Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race Hurdle over 2m on good to soft going. Priced 5/1, he finished a creditable 2nd beaten one and a half lengths.
Leading up to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Bobs Worth won the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase at Newbury on the 1st December 2012 on good to soft going. Priced 4/1, under the riding of Barry Geraghty, he stayed on well to win ‘readily’ by three and a quarter lengths in a nineteen-strong field.
Nicky Henderson said: ‘He was the young pretender and if he is going to make it to top level he probably did have to win. Even so, it’s mighty nice to win. Earlier in the season I wasn’t happy with him. Things started to fall into place and three nights ago I looked at him at evening stables and thought: ‘Hello!’ I’m not convinced the King George is the right race for him but he loves Cheltenham and will just be a matter of plotting our way gently to the Gold Cup.’
In a career which spanned seven seasons, Bobs Worth raced 22 times times and achieved 11 wins and placed on 4 occasions. He achieved total prize winnings of £726, 163.
Bobs Worth died on the 20th January 2022, aged 16 (17 in racing classification) due to a freak accident in a field at Hillwood Stud, Wiltshire, England.
He had been enjoying his retirement from racing since racing at the Cheltenham Festival on the 17th March, 2017. For a horse of 11 years, he ran an exceptional race to finish third in the Ryanair World Hurdle. He won five races at Cheltenham in his lifetime. He was remember as a proper stayer at the highest level.
Nicky Henderson said: ‘He was an absolute legend.’
15th March 2013 –
3:20 Cheltenham – Betfred Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
A field of 9 runners on soft ground.
Leading contenders included: Bobs Worth 11/4f, Long Run 7/2, Sir Des Champs 4/1, Silviniaco Conti 4/1, Cape Tribulation 12/1, Captain Chris 14/1 & The Giant Bolster 16/1.
An enormous crowd waiting for the biggest race of the jumps season.
Sam Waley-Cohen sent Long Run (7/2) into an early lead, from The Giant Bolster, the pair clear by three lengths. Silviniaco Conti (4/1) on the inside alongside Bobs Worth (11/4f).
Still not much between the two leaders over an open ditch.
Monbeg Dude (40/1) at the rear of the field. He would continue to lose his position, becoming outpaced, and pulled up two out.
Long Run continued to enjoy himself out in front.
Simon Holt, commentator, said: ‘Silviniaco Conti is jumping beautifully on the inside in the hands of Ruby Wash.’
Long Run got in a little close to the next jump but still held a nice advantage.
Captain Chris (14/1) darting to his right.
Starting the second circuit, passing the stands, still going well in front with 10 fences to go.
Bobs Worth sat comfortably in 5th.
Most horses holding their position from the early stages, but the pace soon to increase.
‘The crowd getting excited.’
The dual King George winner, Long Run, going well under Waley-Cohen.
Wayward Prince (100/1) struggling in rear.
With seventh fences to go, Sir Des Champs (4/1) loomed up into second.
‘Bobs Worth getting closer.’
The Giant Bolster blundered at the final open ditch.
Long Run and Sir Des Champs going on, swinging the top left turn.
With 3 fences to go, Bobs Worth was starting to struggle. But disaster for Silviano Conti when fell, sending Ruby Walsh to ground, while Bobs Worth was slightly hampered.
At the final turn, Long Run and Sir Des Champs were upsides with just 3f to go.
All of a sudden, Bobs Worth started to run on with purpose making great inroads on the two leaders who ran up the hill closing in on the second from last fence.
Long Run made a great jump to go a length clear, while Sir Des Champs looking tired, Bobs Worth was ‘getting his act together’ and he come through to lead at the last.
Up the muddy hill, Bobs Worth had two length advantage, while Sir Des Champs rallied, from Long Run ‘who couldn’t go on’.
Bobs Worth wins.
He won well by seven-lengths.
Sion Holt, commentator, said: ‘He’s small, he’s smart and very, very tough.’
Geraghty, a horse he had been involved with since a yearling said: ‘He struggled on the ground, but he kept fighting, but at five or six out I thought I had a good chance. I thought at the second last I should win.’
‘He’s as game as a lion.’
Nicky Henderson said, ‘I more or less thought he was out of the race. Then Minty said ‘’Bob’s coming, he’s coming!’’ from there I was pretty confident he would come up the hill.’
Cheltenham Gold Cup Results:
2015 – PU 16/1
2014 – 5th 6/4f
2013 – 1st 11/4f
Major wins: Classic Novices’ Hurdle (2011), Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (2011), Berkshire Novices’ Chase (2011), RSA Chase (2012), Hennessy Gold Cup (2012), Cheltenham Gold Cup (2013) & Lexus Chase (2013).