Stage Star stands firm after late mistake to secure Cheltenham triumph

Paul Nicholls’s Stage Star, the 4-1 favourite, made all the running under a big weight and survived a significant mistake at the final fence to register a brave success in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday, with Notlongtillmay and Il Ridoto, a stable companion of the winner, next across the line.

Stage Star and The Real Whacker, also a Grade One winner at the Festival in March and the only horse carrying more weight than Stage Star, were at the head of affairs from the off, but Stage Star was the one that pressed on from three out as one by one, his rivals dropped away.

Harry Cobden had a useful lead from Notlongtillmay at the last, but Stage Star dived over it and landed steeply, losing valuable momentum before his rider picked him up and set off up the hill, eventually crossing the line four lengths to the good.

Quick GuideGreg Wood’s Sunday tipsShow

Newcastle: 12.25 Lochnaver, 12.55 Temple City, 1.28 Alfred, 2.00 Lou Lou’s Gift, 2.38 Bella Kopella, 3.14 Top Gun Tina, 3.45 Martin’s Brig.

Fontwell: 12.30 Classic Lord, 1.00 Rose Sea Has, 1.33 Word Has It, 2.04 Tommie Beau, 2.43 Steven Seagull, 3.19 Captain Claude, 3.50 Sam’s Amour.

Cheltenham: 1.10 The Kemble Brewery, 1.45 Crebilly, 2.20 City Chief (nb), 2.55 Jonbon, 3.30 Go Dante (nap), 4.00 Moon Chime.

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Stage Star was cut from 12-1 to 4-1 by Paddy Power and Betfair for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March.