Jockey Harry Cobden raised his fists in celebration as Meetmebythesea pulled clear to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday, delivering owner JP McManus his first victory in the race. The 2-1 favourite held off Dan Skelton’s Blueking D’Oroux, who went off at 10-3, by two-and-a-half lengths after staying level over the final fence. Torneo, at 12-1, finished just half a length behind in third.
The six-year-old, trained by Ben Pauling, was among a reduced field of 10 runners following five non-runners, including the well-fancied July Flower. Meetmebythesea had won at Cheltenham before, taking a novice race at the Festival in March, but this was a step up in both class and stakes.
Cobden, who claimed the 2023-24 champion jump jockey title and became McManus’ retained rider in Britain and Ireland this May, spoke to ITV Sport after the race. “These big days don’t come along very often and I’m going to enjoy every single one of them from now on,” he said. “To ride a horse like this in a race like that, you just have to pinch yourself to be in this position. It’s wonderful for the boss [McManus], he puts so much into racing, I’m just the lucky man that’s allowed to be part of it.”
Trainer Ben Pauling praised Meetmebythesea’s performance but stopped short of suggesting the horse could be a contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. “He jumped brilliantly and travelled really well… and showed a bit of guts there to win well,” Pauling said. When asked about the horse’s future, he added, “I don’t know what I see him as. He needed to do that today. I think he showed a lot more than we have seen from him so far, but he’s just really good.”
Pauling went on to say, “You don’t know what you have got under the bonnet until you compete in races like that, but that was really cool.”
Meetmebythesea’s success marks a significant achievement for McManus, who has invested heavily in jump racing. The owner, who has a long history of success at Cheltenham, had yet to win this particular race, making Saturday’s victory a notable addition to his record.
The race unfolded with Meetmebythesea and Blueking D’Oroux battling closely through the final stages. Cobden’s mount showed more in the closing moments, breaking clear to secure a decisive win. The tight finish for second place saw Torneo edge out the rest of the field by a narrow margin.
The reduced field was notable, with several horses withdrawn before the start, including July Flower, who had attracted attention as a strong contender. Despite the smaller lineup, the race maintained a competitive edge, with the favourite living up to expectations.
Cobden’s role as McManus’ retained jockey has seen him take on some of the owner’s most promising horses this season. His performance on Meetmebythesea adds to his growing reputation in the jump racing scene.
Meetmebythesea’s Cheltenham success earlier this year came as a novice, and this latest win shows progression under Pauling’s training. The horse’s ability to handle the pressure of a high-profile handicap and pull away in the closing stages suggests potential to take on bigger challenges.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup win adds to the list of memorable moments at Cheltenham this season and confirms Meetmebythesea as a horse to watch. For now, however, the focus remains on what the six-year-old might achieve next under the guidance of Pauling and Cobden, with no immediate plans to target the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
According to BBC Sports.
