The first race of the Gold Cup day at the Cheltenham Festival went the way of favourite backers.
Vauban was heavily backed to go off the 13/8 favourite for the Willie Mullins stable and in the hands of Paul Townend.
Having taken over the lead approaching the final hurdle, the Rich Ricci-owned horse looked in trouble when making a mess of the last, but he accelerated once again to power clear of the Gordon Elliott duo of Fil Dor and Pied Piper.
It was a great start to the day for favourite backers ahead of the Gold Cup but it got even better when State Man followed up in the same connections in the County Hurdle.
Again Townend was in the saddle but this time he was in the colours of the Donnellys.
Nicky Henderson's First Street was closing at the line but State Man held on to the delight of favourite backers.
The theme continued in the next race as The Nice Guy won the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle for Mullins. But this time it was Sean O'Keefe in the saddle.
It all built up to the big race and it didn't disappoint. When Robbie Power kicked on on Minella Indo it looked like the repeat was one, but Rachael Blackmore took over at the last to power up the hill for a famous victory.
And Blackmore couldn't believe her luck when talking in the post-race interview.
"I can't believe it. I'm so lucky to be getting to ride these kind of horses. You can't do this without the horses.
"Being attached to Henry's yard is absolutely phenomenal. Look at what he has given me. This horse is phenomenal.
"Such special days. I wish I had something better to say right now. You have all these plans about things are going to work out but racing doesn't always let that happen a lot of time.
"For some reason it has happened to me today. I just can't explain how feckin' lucky I feel."
Irish eyes were smiling throughout the day as Elimay made it an incredible ten winners for the week for Willie Mullins before Banbridge won the last for trainer Joseph O'Brien.
Result 1:30pm JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 179y
1st: Vauban 13/8f
2nd: Fil Dor 11/2
3rd: Pied Piper 7/2
2:10pm McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 179y
1st: State Man 11/4
2nd: First Street 16/1
3rd: Colonel Mustard 13/2
4th: West Cork 13/2
5th: Ballyadam 50/1
6th: Surprise Package 9/1
7th: Cormier 33/1
2:50pm Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y
1st: The Nice Guy 18/1
2nd: Minella Cocooner 9/2
3rd: Bardenstown Lad 20/1
4th: Ballygriffincottage 28/1
5th: Green Book 40/1
3:30pm Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) 3m 2f 70y
1st: A Plus Tard 3/1
2nd: Minella Indo 7/1
3rd: Protektorat 10/1
4th: Galvin 10/3
4:10pm St. James's Place Festival Hunters' Chase 3m 2f 70y
1st: Billaway 13/8f
2nd: Winger Leader 9/2
3rd: Mighty Stowaway 33/1
4:50pm Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f 127y
1st: Elimay 9/3
2nd: Pink Legend 33/1
3rd: Scarlet And Dove 28/1
5:30pm Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 56y
1st: Banbridge 12/1
2nd: Cobbler's Dream 12/1
3rd: Hollow Games 9/2
4th: Freedom To Dream 20/1
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