Rich Ricci revealed how he overruled top trainer Willie Mullins with Cheltenham star Vauban.
The 6-4 favourite gave punters a flying start to Gold Cup day, powering up the hill in the JBC Triumph Hurdle. Paul Townend's mount put in a novicey jump at the final flight, then changed gear to collect by two-and-a-half lengths from Fil Dor.
The success was a sixth of the week for Mullins, who leads the trainers' standings – and chases a fourth straight title. But Vauban might not have even been at Cheltenham, had it not been for Ricci's persistence. He chuckled as he told how it all came about. "I was having a war with Willie because none of our horses were running very well at the beginning of this season. We didn't have that many." he said.
