Gold Cup glory for Harrington

have been an amazing two mile chaser,” said Harrington, below, about Sizing John, who had finished behind Douvan on seven occasions. “But it was really Robbie (Power, the winning rider) who decided we should up him in trip and it’s worked.

“After Christmas, when he chased Douvan home again, we decided to move him up in trip. He won the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown and I thought let’s go for the Gold Cup.”

Harrington has now captured the ‘big three’ at the Festival – with Jezki in the Champion Hurdle (2014) and Moscow Flyer in the Queen Mother Champion Chase (2003 and 2005).

Recalling those memorable moments and reflecting on yesterday’s success, Harrington said: “They are all fantastic at the moment. To have any winner at Cheltenham is amazing.”

Like Harrington, Power was also having his first taste of the Gold Cup. “It was 10 years ago when I won the Grand National on Silver Birch, and I thought then I was going to win everything. When you are 35, you are not so confident but now I appreciate it more.”

Colin Tizzard, responsible for Native River and Cue Card, said: “Native River has run his heart out and, thankfully, Cue Card is fine.” Rich Ricci, the owner of Djakadam, had no excuses but said: “Gee, how good is Douvan?”

Harrington became the third woman to train a Gold Cup winner following Jenny Pitman (Burrough Hill Lad 1984, Garrison Savannah 1991) and Henrietta Knight (Best Mate 2002, 2003, 2004).

Champion jockey Richard Johnson was definitely impressed after his brilliant victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

This can be a race where horses have to dig deep, but 5-2 favourite Defi Du Seuil simply outclassed his rivals to give trainer Philip Hobbs his third winner of the race.