FUGITIF denies IL RIDOTO in December Gold Cup thriller at Cheltenham!

Fugitif came from the clouds to secure a last-gasp victory in a thrilling renewal of the Virgin Bet December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. A field of 12 runners went to post for the prestigious handicap, although for much of the way it looked a two-horse race, with Il Ridoto and Bryony Frost and the Charlie Deutsch-ridden Frero Banbou going hammer and tongs on the front end and pulling clear of the chasing pack. It was obvious from the fourth-last fence that several of those in behind were struggling to keep up with the furious gallop being set, with 3-1 favourite Thunder Rock one of the first to cry enough before eventually being pulled up. Il Ridoto and Frero Banbou were still locking horns in front rounding the home turn, at which stage Richard Hobson’s Fugitif still had six horses in front of him and seemingly a mountain to climb in the hands of Gavin Sheehan. After eventually seeing off his long-time challenger, Il Ridoto looked the most likely winner between the final two obstacles. However, Sheehan – who two weeks ago produced a similarly ice cool masterclass to land Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup aboard Datsalrightgino – conjured a late surge from Fugitif and the pair got up in the very last stride to score by a short head at 13-2. Hobson said: “He was quite far back, but we had a top jockey on and we got there in the end. The plan wasn’t to be that far back, but he has ridden a lovely race on him. The ground was really dead and tiring and he has timed it to perfection. “They keep climbing the handicap when they finish second, so to come here and carry a big weight like he has done today, it is just a fabulous performance by the horse.” #horseracing #horse #horses Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ Racing Greats ➡️ All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK’s leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland. Subscribe to Racing TV’s free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): Also watch Racing TV at and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: