Cheltenham Gold Cup 2017

Newspaper headlines before and after the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup were dominated by two women. The first of them, Lizzie Kelly, rode 40/1 chance Tea For Two, trained by her stepfather Nick Williams and, in so doing, became the first female jockey for 33 years to ride in the ‘Blue Riband’ event. Sadly, her participation was short-lived, as Tea For Two blundered badly and unseated her at just the second fence. Thus, she fared no better than he predecessor, amateur Linda Sheedy, who pulled up 500/1 rank outsider Foxbury in the 1984 renewal won by Burrough Hill Lad.

The other woman was, of course, trainer Jessica Harrington, who, having turned 70 the previous month, celebrated by winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the first attempt with Sizing John. “Beginner’s luck,” quipped Harrington afterwards. Owned by Ann and Alan Potts and ridden by Robbie Power, having his first ride in the race, Sizing John arrived at Cheltenham off the back of a narrow, all out win in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown and was sent off 7/1 fourth-favourite, behind Djakadam at 3/1, Native River at 7/2 and Cue Card at 9/2. The latter blotted his copybook for the second year running, falling at the third last, as he had done in 2016.

Native River and Djakadam proved good enough for close third and fourth places, respectively, with the former just pipped for second by the strong-finishing Minella Indo in the final stride. None of that trio really threatened Sizing John., who travelled well throughout, led by 3 lengths at the final fence and stayed on well on the run-in to win by 2¾ lengths.