Irish dominate in Jockeys’ Cup on Gold Cup day 

A whopping 32-point haul meant Paul Townend moved up to 13th in the David Power Jockeys’ Cup thanks to two wins and two places on Friday, though he was almost matched on the day by fellow Irish rider Mark Walsh who picked up two wins himself including the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Inothewayurthinkin. 

Walsh’s other win came aboard Dinoblue in the Mares’ Chase, while Townend’s two victories came on the well-fancied Kargese in the County Hurdle and Jasmin De Vaux in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.  

Walsh was unable to steer Galopin Des Champs to a third straight Gold Cup win, with the Willie Mullins-trained runner eventually well-held in second. 

Darragh O’Keeffe also flew the flag well for Ireland, picking up place points with The Big Westerner (second in the Albert Bartlett) and Gentlemansgame (third in the Gold Cup) which earned him a place inside the top 20. 

Meanwhile, Nico De Boinville did best of those towards the top of the Jockeys’ Cup leaderboard, taking home eight points on Triumph Hurdle runner-up Lulamba who only found 100/1 shot Poniros too good in Friday’s opener.