'This is what you dream of' - 18-year-old Freddie Gingell stars at Cheltenham again on Il Ridoto in Paddy Power Gold Cup

Sensational conditional Freddie Gingell stole the show at Cheltenham once again as Il Ridoto, the second string for Paul Nicholls, blew his rivals away with a sparkling performance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Only 37 days into adulthood, Gingell made his top-level breakthrough last January at a younger age than the likes of Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy when winning the Clarence House Chase on Elixir De Nutz. Ten months later, at the same venue, the rising star shone brightest again when he rode a regular big-race bridesmaid to his best day yet in the November meeting’s £150,000 highlight.

The race centred around Ginny’s Destiny, the 3-1 favourite and the main dart thrown by Nicholls.

Little separated Gingell and champion jockey Harry Cobden on Ginny’s Destiny until an error by front-running Editeur Du Gite at the water jump invited the main protagonists to make their move and brought the race to life.

Irish raider Lets Go Champ and 2022 winner Ga Law threatened to spoil the Nicholls party and burst one balloon when Ginny’s Destiny found little under pressure from Cobden.

Two conditionals turned into the straight with a shot at glory as Gingell's mount led the Mike O’Connor-ridden Lets Go Champ but, exactly a year on from Gingell passing his driving test, he soared high and fast in the Ged Mason silks over the penultimate fence before accelerating clear.

Il Ridoto idled briefly as he closed in on ending a nine-race losing streak – which included an agonising short-head defeat here last December under Bryony Frost – but Ga Law could only get within four and a half lengths when staying on for second.

Roared home by many of the 30,180 on course, the biggest crowd on the day since 2021, an elated Gingell pumped a fist in the air in celebration before briefly looking to the sky. These big moments, and there are inevitably many more to come, won't pass without thoughts of his late mother Kim.

Il Ridoto pulled clear of Ga Law and Lets Go Champ to record another memorable Cheltenham successCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gingell said: “These things definitely make you think back, moments like these are what you dream of. I had the Grade 1 winner but to do that in front of all these thousands of people is just unbelievable. This tops it.

“I've come down the hill and pulled him out a bit wide to let him see his fences. I turned at the top of the hill and got a breather into him and he winged three out. I've landed there and he's taken off.

“This means loads. I was coming thinking I'd be happy to place. This is the race of the weekend and to win it is amazing.”

The 18-year-old rider carved some family history into the bargain as his grandfather Colin Tizzard and jockey-turned-trainer uncle Joe never won the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Staying true to his agricultural roots, he was not planning an exuberant celebration and expected to spend the evening hedge-trimming and ploughing at his family farm.

Paul Nicholls and Freddie Gingell hold the Paddy Power Gold Cup aloftCredit: John Grossick

Gingell is leading the way for the conditionals' title, having stretched his lead over the likes of Dylan Johnston and Jack Hogan, and Nicholls has vowed to support that championship bid.

“Freddie is coming along nicely. He’s going to ride an awful lot of ours and he will for his uncle Joe,” the trainer said. “He’s very much like Harry Cobden was at the same stage of his career. He’s keen, hungry and works hard. He deserves all the success he gets.”

Il Ridoto is likely to attempt to exact revenge for his narrow second in the December Gold Cup next month, according to Nicholls, while Ginny’s Destiny may be tried at three miles after being pulled up.

The trainer, who continued his good Saturday run after a Wincanton five-timer last weekend, said: “It was a great ride and this horse deserved to win a big one. He’ll come back for the December Gold Cup as he loves it around here. The ground was perfect for him. 

“It doesn’t matter what he does for the rest of the season, he’s not a Grade 1 horse. He’s a good handicapper and won a good race.

“Ginny’s Destiny ran the same [first time out] last season. I couldn’t get a run into him and I’d say he needed it. He probably needs three miles now too. He’s a gross horse and all isn’t lost.”

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