2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup


The 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup was the 84th annual running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup horse race held at Cheltenham Racecourse on 16 March 2012.
Fourteen horses ran and the steeplechase was won by 8/1 shot Synchronised, who was trained by Jonjo O'Neill and ridden by Tony McCoy. Synchronised completed the course in a time of 6 minutes 36.19 seconds and won by a distance of 2¼ lengths from second-placed The Giant Bolster.
Kauto Star was attempting to win the Gold Cup for the third time and made a prominent start, but was weakened by a poor jump at the eighth fence and pulled-up by jockey Ruby Walsh before the tenth of the 22 fences.
The Gold Cup was sponsored by Betfred for the first time. Betfred had purchased The Tote, sponsors of the race since 1980, in June 2011.

Details

Fourteen ran in the race; the Irish-trained Quel Esprit made the card but did not run. Ten completed the course, three were pulled-up by their jockeys during the race, and one, What A Friend, fell at the second fence.
PositionHorseJockeyTrainer†SPDistance/FatePrize money
1Synchronised Tony McCoyJonjo O'NeillWon by 2¼ lengths£284,750
2The Giant BolsterTom ScudamoreDavid Bridgwater¾ length£106,850
3Long Run Mr. Sam Waley-CohenNicky Henderson fav5 lengths£53,500
4Burton Port Barry GeraghtyNicky Henderson1½ lengths£26,650
5Time For Rupert Denis O'ReganPaul Webber10 lengths£13,400
6Knockara Beau Jan FaltejsekGeorge Charlton11 lengths£6,700
7Midnight ChaseDougie CostelloNeil Mulholland17 lengths-
8China Rock Andrew LynchMouse Morris 15 lengths-
9The Midnight Club Paul TownendWillie Mullins 7 lengths-
10CarruthersMattie BatchelorMark BradstockLast to complete-
DNFDiamond HarryNoel FehilyNick WilliamsPulled up, 18th fence-
DNFWeird Al Jason MaguireDonald McCainPulled up, 18th fence-
DNFKauto Star Ruby WalshPaul NichollsPulled up, 10th fence-
DNFWhat A FriendDaryl JacobPaul NichollsFell, 2nd fence-

† Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.

Winner's details

Further details of the winner, Synchronised, ridden by jockey Tony McCoy: