Gold Cup Winner 2018

Winner: Native River

Betting Odds: 5/1

Trainer: Colin Tizzard

Owner: Brocade Racing

The 90^th annual running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) sponsored by Timico, an Information Technology Managed Service provider in the United Kingdom. In June 2021, Timico was rebranded to Digital Space. With 2017 winner Sizing John a non-runner, this wasn’t considered a vintage renewal. With just 13lb separating the top and bottom weights and a large field it looked a competitive affair.

The extreme going would prove a test for many in the field.

A going description of soft.

Win prize money of £369,821.92. A winning time of 7m 2.60s (slow 12.60s).

This eight-year-old gelding, a son of Indian River out of an unraced mare named Native Mo. He cost 6,000 (Euros) as a foal when purchased by John Dineen.

Leading up to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Native River ran in the Betfair Denman Chase (Grade 2) on the 10^th February. In a three-horse race, he was priced 8/11f, and won ‘readily’ by 12-lengths.

Colin Tizzard said for his season return: ‘he’s as ready as you can get him at home’.

Bookmakers priced him at 8/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. At this time, Sizing John was still in the reckoning. However, following a routine canter, he was found to have a hair-line fracture of his pelvis, and withdrawn from the Gold Cup about a week before the big event.

For a horse who unseated his rider in a point-to-point at Dromahane, Ireland, Native River went on to race 32 times winning 14 races.

By the time he was retired, after pulling up in the Welsh Grand National on the 27^th December 2021, he had won over £1M in prize money.

16^th March 2018 –

3:30 Cheltenham – Timico Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

A large field of 15 runners on very testing ground.

Leading contenders included: Mighty Bite 4/1f, Our Duke 9/2, Native River 5/1, Definitely Red 8/1, Killultagh Vic 8/1, Road To Respect 9/1 & Total Recall 14/1.

Native River started well with the roar of the crowd in his ears, leading at the first fence, upsides Mighty Bite. The two favourite continued to lead at the second while Bachasson (33/1) fell seeing Danny Mullins make an early exit.

At the 7^th fence, water jump, Native River put in a bold jump and length or two ahead of Mighty Bite, who in turn was 4-lengths in front of Djakadam (25/1), closely matched by Our Duke (9/2).

Heading down the hill to the 10^th fence, the pair held a lead of some 7-lengths, going well in the testing ground. There was no doubt Richard Johnson wanted to make this an ultimate test for the opposition.

At the 13^th fence there was very little change in order.

Native River jumped boldly and precisely travelling well in front.

Might Bite was still on his tail at the 17^th, with little response from the packing field a number of lengths behind.

Our Duke was pulled up after the 19^th.

At 3 out, Native River, with his distinctive noseband, led but Might Bite was still on his shoulder, while the other were beginning to feel the heat, while Total Recall took a crashing fall.

At the home turn, Native River and Might Bite held an advantage over Road To Respect, Anabale Flyer and Djakadam.

At the second last fence, Might Bite looked to be travelling the better of the two, but Native River was clinging onto his lead. However, the brave Native River knuckled down, rallied, and jumped a length clear at the last fence.

As the commentator said: ‘Native River is fending off the challenge of Might Bite. As they run towards the line, the brave, the generous, Native River, in front. He’s still holding on, making every yard. What a run! Native River and Richard Johnson have won the Timico Gold Cup.’

Colin Tizzard said: ‘It’s unreal. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is everything in everyone’s life and there’s no pretending it’s not. Native River never let Richard Johnson down once. He powered away again. We had a wonderful preparation with him. I can’t believe it. It doesn’t get better, does it?’

Stamina won the day.

Native River ran in four Cheltenham Gold Cups:

2017 – 3^rd

2018 – 1^st

2019 – 4^th

2021 – 4^th

Other major wins: Worcester Novices’ Chase (2015), Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2016), Hennessy Gold Cup (2016), Welsh Grand National (2016), Denman Chase (2017, 2018, 2020), Many Clouds Chase (2019) & Cotswold Chase (2021).