Meetmebythesea Gives JP McManus His First Paddy Power Gold Cup

Meetmebythesea added another good day to his record at Cheltenham, carrying trainer Ben Pauling's colours to victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. The win is the first time owner JP McManus has landed the race, a notable gap filled for one of jump racing's most active and successful owners.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup is one of the more prestigious handicap chases on the Cheltenham calendar, so a winner there carries weight well beyond the afternoon. For a horse already known for handling the Gloucestershire track, the result reinforces his reputation on the course and gives connections another high-profile success to build on as the season moves forward.

McManus has long been a dominant force in British and Irish jump racing, with a string of big-race winners across the country. Adding this prize to his record at Cheltenham is a satisfying moment for an owner who has spent decades in the sport. For Pauling, it is a reminder of how much his stable can achieve when a horse is running at its best on the right ground and over the right trip.