Simon Claisse, Cheltenham's Clerk of the Course, said: "We've had another terrific day's racing. The ground has dried out a little, actually - the times were quite a bit quicker than yesterday. But at a time when we were just thinking we might change the ground to Good to Soft, Soft in Places [from Soft, Good to Soft in Places], we had that shower of rain.

 

"So we have left tomorrow's ground overnight as Soft, Good to Soft in Places. The forecast is mostly dry, but there may be the odd shower in the next 24 hours.

 

"We will be using fresh ground on the chase course that we haven't used since the final day of The Festival 2019.

 

"We are looking forward to welcoming the usual bumper crowd here tomorrow for the final day of the meeting and for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup."

 

TORNADO FLYER (IRE) wore earplugs throughout the race. Mr P. W. Mullins, the rider of MELON, placed second, was suspended for 2 days, on dates to be notified to him by the Head Office of the British Horseracing Authority, for using his whip above the permitted level from approaching the final fence.

 

An enquiry was held to consider interference approaching the final hurdle when Tom Cannon was unseated from DINGO DOLLAR (IRE). Cannon was suspended for 3 days (26, 27, 28 March) for careless riding as he had failed to take sufficient corrective measures to avoid running into the back of COPPER GONE WEST (IRE), which was in the process of being pulled up by its rider, resulting in Cannon being unseated from the gelding. In the final few strides before the line, the winner, SIRE DU BERLAIS (FR), drifted slightly right-handed onto THE STORYTELLER (IRE), placed second, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved and that it had not improved the placing of SIRE DU BERLAIS (FR). Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that JATILUWIH (FR), placed eighth, lost its right-hind shoe, STONEY MOUNTAIN (IRE), unplaced, lost its left-hind shoe and sustained a cut on its left-hind, DREAM BERRY (FR), unplaced, suffered an overreach to its left-fore and DOUBLY CLEVER (IRE), unplaced, lost its right-fore shoe.

 

RIDERS ONTHE STORM (IRE) wore earplugs which were removed at the start and DUC DES GENIEVRES (FR) wore earplugs throughout the race. Gavin Sheehan, the rider of SAINT CALVADOS (FR), placed second, was suspended for 4 days (26, 27, 28, 29 March) for using his whip above the permitted level from approaching the final fence. Shortly before the line, the winner, MIN (FR), drifted marginally right-handed, giving a slight bump to SAINT CALVADOS (FR), placed second, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved and that it had not improved the placing of MIN (FR).

 

EMITOM (IRE) and TOBEFAIR wore earplugs which were removed at the start and PENHILL wore earplugs throughout the race. The performance of PAISLEY PARK (IRE), which started favourite and finished seventh, beaten by 14½ lengths, was considered. The representative of Emma Lavelle could offer no explanation for the gelding's performance other than PAISLEY PARK (IRE) lost its left-fore and right-hind shoes; the gelding was routine tested. Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PENHILL, which was pulled up, finished lame on its left-hind. The Veterinary Officer further reported that a post-race examination of RONALD PUMP, placed second, during routine testing shortly after the race, revealed the gelding lost its left-hind shoe and was struck into on its left-hind.

 

Permission was given for ROBIN DES FORET (IRE) to wear a protective covering on its head, having sustained a wound in the racecourse stables; SIMPLY THE BETTS (IRE) wore earplugs which were removed at the start. Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DEYRANN DE CARJAC (FR), unplaced, finished lame on its left-fore.

 

Permission was given for LA FELINE (FR) to wear a hood in the Parade Ring only; GETAWAY TOTHEROCK (IRE) and MINELLA MELODY (IRE) wore earplugs which were removed at the start. Daryl Jacob, the rider of the winner, CONCERTISTA (FR), was suspended for 2 days (29, 30 March) for using his whip when clearly winning after jumping the final hurdle. Following the race, Thomas Dowson reported that RAYNA'S WORLD (IRE), placed third, was never travelling in the early stages and Liam Treadwell reported that GETAWAY TOTHEROCK (IRE), unplaced, hung left-handed.

 

Permission was given for DEISE ABA (IRE) to wear a hood in the Parade Ring only.