Don Cossack wins 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Don Cossack has won the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Don Cossack, ridden by Bryan Cooper and trained by Gordon Elliot, finished ahead of Djakadam, ridden by Ruby Walsh, with Don Poli in third.

Cue Card threatened to catch the eventual winner but fell with three fences to go before the front three broke away.

The winner started the afternoon as the clear 9/4 favourite, crossing the finishing line with a four-and-a-half length lead. Jockey Cooper and trainer Elliot celebrated their first Gold Cup success.

"I really can't believe it," Elliot told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I'm delighted for the staff and my family. I'm shell shocked. I'd love to look at it again but it was something special."

Winning jockey Cooper made the decision to ride Don Cossack over eventual third place finisher Don Poli just two days ago. "Fair play to Gordon [Elliot], he stuck by me, I had the hardest decision [riding Don Cossack rather than Don Poli] and he had him right for today. He never missed a beat."