Freddie Gingell celebrates 'amazing' Paddy Power Gold Cup win on Il Ridoto for Paul Nicholls and Sir Alex Ferguson

Paul Nicholls scored a repeat success in the Paddy Power Gold Cup with Il Ridoto, ridden by Freddie Gingell.

The former champion trainer's main hope of repeating his 2023 success with Stage Star had appeared to be Ginny's Destiny, who moved up menacingly before three out only to weaken out of contention.

But his apparent second-string took the prize at 10-1 from 2022 winner Ga Law. The winner is part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, who also has a share in Friday's Bahrain Trophy winner Spirit Dancer and Arkle Trial winner L'Eau Du Sud.

"It's days like this you dream of," Gingell said on ITV. "He's done it really well in the end and a big thank you to Paul and the owners. 

"I was told to be nice and handy. He was jumping for fun. I thought I probably got there too soon but Paul told me to make sure turning in to kick on no matter what. It's just amazing."

Il Ridoto jumps the last on his way to Paddy Power Gold Cup successCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nicholls was winning the first big handicap chase of the autumn for the fourth time, with a horse who had finished third behind stablemate Stage Star in the race last year.

"It was a fantastic ride," he said. "We changed tack this year, we came here without a run last year and he blatantly blew up so he had a run at Chepstow.

"He had a nice weight and was confidently ridden. It was a great ride by Freddie and the horse deserved to win a big one. I'd say Ginny's Destiny just needed it, he was the same first time out last year.

"Il Ridoto will come back for the December Gold Cup, he loves it round here. It doesn't matter what he does for the rest of the season."

Praising 5lb claimer Gingell, Nicholls added: "He's very much like where Harry Cobden was at the same stage of his career, he's keen, he's hungry, he works hard and he deserves all the success he gets."

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