Coneygree wins Cheltenham Gold Cup on first attempt as Nico de Boinville hails the 'great plan'

Coneygree has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, becoming the first novice to win the race since 1974.

The 7-1 hopeful guided by jockey Nico de Boinville took an early lead and managed to hold off the resilient challenges of second placed Djakadam and Road To Riches in third.

Winning jockey De Boinville told Channel 4: "A great family win. Great plan. They knew the gods were looking down at us. The rain came at the right time. It was ideal. He is so deceptive."

AP McCoy, riding in his last ever Gold Cup ahead of his retirement from the sport at the end of the season in April, finished in ninth place on Carlingford Lough.

Eight-year-old Coneygree, trained by Mark Bradstock, claimed the blue riband prize of steeplechasing in just its fourth race over fences after retaining the lead up the hill in the final length.

"He's a fantastic horse. We've done it before in smaller races and we will still keep doing it, but it's fantastic to do it on the big stage," Bradstock said.

"The forecast was so up and down, the rain was meant to be coming on Tuesday, but luckily we made the right decision. It's brilliant."

Final standings:

1 Coneygree 7/1

2 Djakadam 10/1

3 Road To Riches 8/1

4 Holywell 8/1

5 On His Own 33/1

6 Many Clouds 7/1

7 Silviniaco Conti 3/1F

8 Smad Place 25/1

9 Carlingford Lough 14/1

10 Boston Bob 33-1