Intro:

Al Ferof won the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday giving owner Paul Nicholls a first win in the competition with a brilliant performance at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Script:

The Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham brought heartache for owner Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh five years ago but the odds played out in their favour today.

Riding 8-1 Al Ferof Walsh was joined by another grey, Walkon, two furlongs out but managed to hold just a slight advantage.

Defying a huge weight burden Al Ferof held on until the line with Walkon finishing three lengths behind.

This brilliant round of jumping gave Paul Nicholls his first Paddy Power Gold Cup win and means Al Ferof will now race at the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.