Gavin Cromwell’s seven-year-old was supplemented for the race at a cost of £25,000 and that proved another shrewd investment by owner JP McManus as he stormed home to score by six lengths at 15-2.
Galopin Des Champs, who broke the heart of Bravemansgame two years ago and was too strong for Gerri Colombe last year, was settled in mid-division as Ahoy Senor set the pace, but the defending champion was not quite at his fluent best over the early fences.
The 8-13 favourite survived a scare when slightly hampered by the fall of Ahoy Senor and seemed to be warming to the task as he swept into the lead turning for home.
However, Mark Walsh was stalking him on Inothewayurthinkin and his mount produced an impressive turn of foot to power clear.
McManus said: “You have to enjoy these moments, they are so long in the making. We’ve had him since he was a foal, he was bred by (wife) Noreen. It’s a very exciting time and I will treasure it.
“I would like to see it again, I don’t think I took it all in, but it’s an exciting day.”
Cromwell added: “I’m absolutely speechless.
“I was worried about the pace of the race on the better ground, he was only just hanging in there the whole time – he was flat out.
“He’s a very good horse. Going down to the second-last I thought we had a good chance. What can you say? It’s brilliant, I’m just thrilled.
“Great thanks to JP and Noreen for having the confidence to supplement him. It’s brilliant, they’re so good to train for. They’re brilliant people.”
He went on: “I never thought I would have a horse good enough to run in the Gold Cup, let alone win. A huge thank you to JP and Noreen – to have horses like this is unbelievable.
“I think they were waiting for me to suggest (supplementing the horse) and I was waiting for them – and neither took much convincing.
“It’s going to take a while to sink in, but I’m absolutely thrilled.
“He jumped well on the whole, with one mistake at the ditch down the back, but they went good and hard and that played to our strengths as he stays really well.
“He turned in, jumped the last and galloped right to the line – it was fantastic.
“He’s an improving horse. He improved all through last season and he’s improved this year as well, and the further he’s gone, the better he’s gone.”
But there was a sad note for the McManus team, with the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross suffering a fatal injury in his fall at the second-last.
A statement from the British Horseracing Authority read: “In our fifth race of the day, Corbetts Cross was immediately attended to by our veterinary professionals, but sadly sustained a fatal injury. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”
Frank Berry, racing manager for McManus, said: “The Gold Cup was brilliant, but it has put a bit of a dampener on the day and it’s always sad to lose any horse never mind a nice horse who was running such a nice race.
“It’s tough and just puts a dampener on things. He was a lovely horse and Emmet and the team have done a lovely job with him. It’s sad to lose him when he was running so well in such a big race.”
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