Gold Cup champion horse Inothewayurthinkin sent a vet flying with a kick moments after taking the prestigious title on Day Four of the Cheltenham Festival. Inothewayurthinkin was a 7/1 shot heading into the race, with the horse owned by J.P. McManus beating odds on favourite Galopin Des Champs.
The incident occurred as Inothewayurthinkin was being walked back to the paddock when its hind legs were being checked over by a vet. Not keen on the thought of the impromptu check-up, the horse kicked out at the vet, sending it flying to the ground.
Thankfully, the vet was quick to return to their feet and appeared unharmed by the incident. However, the race was marred by the Festival’s second death of the week, with Corbetts Cross suffering a fatal fall in the Gold Cup.
As for Inothewayurthinkig, the winning jockey, Mark Walsh, reacted to the win by saying: “I’m dancing inside. I can’t believe it. He jumped well, just missed the ditch. Paul [Townend on Galopin Des Champs] was on my outside and early on, he missed a few fences and I just thought he wasn’t happy. This boy [Inothewayurthinkin] has had to grow up over the last year. Gavin Cromwell is a genius having him spot on for today. I’m delighted.”
It’s put Inothewayurthinkin into the conversation for next month’s Grand National, with the horses’ trainer, Gavin Cromwell stating: “We have to be fair to the horse. The Gold Cup is a tough race. I’ll see what Gavin says but don’t expect a decision in the next week.
“Galopin Des Champs was a dual Gold Cup winner, but we were coming here to try and win the race. We weren’t coming to pick up the pieces and get place money.”
Galopin Des Champs had been eyeing up a historic three-peat Gold Cup victory but placed second in the end. His jockey, Paul Townsend, reacted: “Everything seemed to be a bit of an effort. He came strong over the top of the hill last time and I hoped for the same.
“It’s disappointing to get beaten, he’s back, he’s fine and it will give Gavin Cromwell something to shout about for a long time. The first thing I was thinking, was that this ground was livelier than he appreciated. But no excuses, it wasn’t good enough on the day.”