Cheltenham Gold Cup 1993

After being agonisingly beaten a short-head in the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the last two seasons running, by Garrison Savannah in 1991 and Cool Ground in 1992, The Fellow was sent off 5/4 favourite for the 1993 renewal, as he attempted to make it third time lucky in the ‘Blue Riband’ event. It was not to be for the French-trained eight-year-old, who, never having previously raced on the prevailing good to firm going, was outpaced when the race began in earnest before staying on again for fourth place, beaten 9½ lengths by the winner.

Victory went, for once, to the North of England, courtesy of Jodami, trained by Peter Beaumont in Stearsby, North Yorkshire and ridden by Mark Dwyer. Having justified favouritism in the Mandarin Handicap Chase at Newbury, the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on his last three starts, was sent off 8/1 second-favourite to make it four in a row at Cheltenham and did so in gutsy fashion.

Patiently ridden early, the eight-year-old drew alongside the long-time leader Rushing Willd, trained by Martin Pipe and ridden by Richard Dunwoody, at the second-last fence, led over the last fence and was driven clear on the run-in to win by 2 lengths. Rushing Wild kept on to hold second place, 7 lengths ahead of future Grand National winner Royal Athlete, who, in turn, finished just half a length ahead of The Fellow. As a sombre footnote, Cherrykino, who was fatally injured in a fall before halfway, was the last living descendant of the legendary Arkle.