Cheltenham Gold Cup CARNAGE as THREE horses suffer nasty falls leaving fans worried

THIS year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup was full of drama before the cream rose to the top in a thriller.

Ahoy Senor was looking a good bet to spring a big shock in the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain before it clattered into a fence with six to jump.

ReutersGalopin Des Champs justified favouritism to win the Gold Cup[/caption]

In doing so, it brought down 40-1 shot Sounds Russian.

Rachael Blackmore and her mount A Plus Tard were dealt a serious blow by that fall, the Irish rider thankfully avoiding crashing down herself.

But the defending Gold Cup champ was pulled up quickly after.

That left Hewick, the Guinness-loving horse that only cost £800, in front, and in with a shout as the race neared its conclusion.

But the eight-year-old smashed into the last fence, and it was the favourite Galopin Des Champs that cruised into the lead to win by seven lengths.

Horseracing fans were quick to post messages of support to all fallen horses and jockeys.

And thankfully footage showed all horses and jockeys getting back to their feet.

Claire McMenemy posted on Twitter: “I’m so happy to see Hewick up and OK. I was terrified for him.”

James Vertigan wrote that it was “the best news of the day”, while Alan Hoey posted that it was “great to see after such a fantastic race”.

Stattler was the first horse to cry off in a drama-filled race, calling it a day after half-way.

Nico de Boinville and Minella Indo was the next one out the race before the drama was upped a notch with Ahoy Senor’s blunder.

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