Cheltenham Festival: A decade of winners
THE past decade of the Gold Cup has brought unforgettable moments of glory and landmark achievements by some of the greatest racehorses the sport has known.
Starting with the awe-inspiring feats of treble winner Best Mate, more unforgettable scenes of glory included the sensational Kauto Star becoming the first horse to regain the Gold Cup in 2009 and proving himself one of the giants of the Turf.
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TREBLE CHANCE: Jockey Jim Culloty steers Best Mate to the second of his three Gold Cup triumphs in 2003
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Jockey Jim Culloty on his way to number 2 win with Best Mate
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Lifting the trophy in 2002.
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FLYING THE FLAG: Jockey Barry Geraghty celebrates victory for Ireland on Kicking King in 2005.
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COMMANDING WIN: Paddy Brennan rides Imperial Commander up the hill to victory in 2010.
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CLEARING THE LAST: War of Attrition and Conor O'Dwyer head for home and victory in 2006.
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STAR TURN: Kauto Star, ridden by Ruby Walsh, en route to victory in 2007 and, inset, after making history by reclaiming the crown in 2009.
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Jockey Ruby Walsh celebrates on Kauto Star after winning the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase at Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 13, 2009. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. No commercial use. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
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STORMING RUN: Denman and Sam Thomas return to the winner's enclosure in 2008.
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HOME WINNERS: Sam Waley-Cohen celebrates on Long Run in 2011 while Tony McCoy wins on Synchronised last year.
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Racing. Cheltenham National Hunt Gold Cup Festival 2012. 3.20 The Gold Cup. Winner Synchronised ridden by Tony McCoy crossing the winning line picture by Mikal Ludlow news 16-3-12
Raiders from Ireland dominated the race in 2005 and 2006, Kicking King and War of Attrition taking the prize back to the Emerald Isle.
Denman, nicknamed The Tank, powered his way into racegoers' affections with victory in 2008 and when finishing runner-up for the next three years, while Imperial Commander kept the Gold Cup in the county in 2010 when romping home for Nigel Twiston-Davies' Guiting Power stable.
Sunday and Monday evenings £12.00 per head for an all inclusive meal with Indian and Thai cuisine (normal price £14.50).
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Robert Waley-Cohen couldn't have wished for a better start to his tenure as chairman of the racecourse when lifting the Gold Cup as owner of Long Run in 2011 and there was more home success last year when Temple Guiting's Jonjo O'Neill won the race for the first time as a trainer with Synchronised.
Of them all, easily the most memorable for me was Best Mate's historic success in 2004, when he became the first horse since Arkle in 1966 to win the race three times.
It is the only time in 18 years in the press room I have seen hard-bitten journalists so emotional about a race they had tears in their eyes.
Later this week, more tales of valour will unfold from around 3.20pm on Friday as the best chasers in Britain and Ireland once again attempt to seal their own place in sporting history.
2002 Best Mate
2003 Best Mate
2004 Best Mate
2005 Kicking King
2006 War Of Attrition
2007 Kauto Star
2008 Denman
2009 Kauto Star
2010 Imperial Commander
2011 Long Run
2012 Synchronised
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