Il Ridoto Wins Paddy Power Gold Cup for Freddie Gingell and Paul Nicholls

Freddie Gingell kicks off 2023 with a Cheltenham Festival triumph

Il Ridoto provided 17-year-old Freddie Gingell with a dream start to 2023 as he landed the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

Gingell, who only turned 17 three days before the race, became the youngest jockey to win the Grade 3 contest since it was first run in 1957.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Il Ridoto had shaped with promise in two starts over fences this season and he followed up his third place in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury with victory in the £160,000 contest.

Il Ridoto overcomes jumping errors

Il Ridoto was sent off a 12/1 shot and he made some jumping errors, including pecking on landing on two occasions in the closing stages.

However, he was able to keep on well up the Cheltenham hill to beat the gallant runner-up Aye Aye Charlie by three and a quarter lengths.

Nicholls hails Gingell's 'fantastic' ride

Nicholls said: "Freddie gave him a fantastic ride. He's a very good horseman and he rides every day for me.

"He's been with me for a year now and we wouldn't be putting him up on this horse today if we didn't think he was good enough.

"He's done everything we've asked of him."