Don Cossack and Paul Carberry lead Djakadam and Ruby Walsh over the last© Photo Healy Racing
The big players came to the fore in a marvellous renewal of the Grade 1 Bibby Financial Services Punchestown Gold Cup and Gordon Elliott's Don Cossack continues to fulfil his tremendous potential as he added to his Aintree gains, this time under Paul Carberry.
It may have gone off seven minutes after the scheduled start time, but the three miler proved worth the wait. Indeed the best result of all was the sight of The Giant Bolster getting to his feet after a heavy second last fence spill when out of contention.
Gigginstown House Stud's retained rider Bryan Cooper feared the worst when he chose Road To Riches over Don Cossack, and so it came to pass when his mount, the pace-setter, was headed away from two out by the winner and Djakadam (2/1 favourite).
Don Cossack edged ahead at the last and he kept on strongly on the run-in to assert and gain a seven length, and six and a half length verdict over Djakadam and Road To Riches.
"I rode this horse four or five years ago up the gallop and I said to Gordon if you could have about ten of these in the yard it would be great," reflected Carberry.
"He's a serious horse and he jumped great the whole way. He jumped into the back of On His Own down the back but I was able to take a pull after that. Anytime I asked him he answered.
"He's always been a serious horse and he just showed that he'll be a Gold Cup contender next year. Gordon went the right route with him this year. He didn't kill him early on. It's worked. Thumbs up to Gordon.
"I said to Noel (Meade, trainer of Road To Riches) going in to get the saddle, best of luck, but give me a nice lead! It's great that they gave me the chance to ride-super."
Gigginstown supremo Michael O'Leary stated: "It was a fantastic race and a terrific training performance by Gordon. I was very happy with Road To Riches as well. The form seems to have worked out with Djakadam as well.
"Gordon has managed to find a little bit more improvement in Don Cossack. I genuinely thought this race would come a little bit soon after Aintree but if you get the right trainer and right horse anything is possible.
"He's a huge big horse and he probably is now just filling into his frame. Gordon said this year he's a totally different horse.
"He was outstanding in Aintree and he's been outstanding again here today.
"It's terrific and great for Gordon who is an outstanding trainer.
"It's lovely to win the Gold Cup in Punchestown. If we can't win the one at Cheltenham, the one at Punchestown is a pretty good replacement.
"I've been second in three Cheltenham Gold Cups, I've won one of them, so I'd like to win another one.
"Today may just have been the end of a long season for Road To Riches. Noel has done a terrific job with him and he's had a fantastic season."
Gordon Elliott said: "I feel sorry for Bryan but he had to go with the horse who was third in the Gold Cup, and I'm delighted for Paul who has been associated with me for a long time and I'm delighted to be able to give him a big winner.
"We were nervous about running him after Aintree but it's a Gold Cup and we took our chance. I should be safe in the job for another year after that!
"It's very special to win, and this is what it's all about. They went flat to the boards all the way, and Paul said he gave him a squeeze turning in, and he came back on it. From the last to the line he's put seven lengths between them.
"Noel O'Brien (handicapper) told me before the race that he was the best horse in the race if he ran up to his rating but I think that was even better than Aintree. He proved he stays.
"I'll worry about Cheltenham next March, and the most important thing is that he's okay in the morning. He came out of Aintree bouncing, and it was really Michael and Eddie that gave me the confidence to come here.
"The owners have that many good horses at the moment that they may want to keep them away from each other and I wouldn't mind going to England with him.
"He'€™s finishing his races out this season which he wasn't doing last year."
Paddy Power and Boylesports go 6/1 from 20/1 about Don Cossack for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.
(AM & EM)
