Fugitif and Gavin Sheehan struck late to disclaim front-runner Il Ridoto and Bryony Frost and win the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Il Ridoto saved his head in entrance earlier than Fugitif (13-2) got here from a good distance again to grab it in a photograph end.

It was a primary winner on the monitor for coach Richard Hobson after 42 losers.

Profitable jockey Sheehan stated: “It gave me confidence that they have been going a gallop, however, on the similar time, from a good distance out I assumed we have got to vary at some stage, however I used to be simply biding my time to chase after which hoping to complete stronger up the hill.

“He is a superb horse to journey. We received one fence mistaken, that was it. Apart from that, he was good. It is simply such an amazing feeling, coming down the hill and travelling like he did however on the similar time pondering that the race was over.

“That is only a good outcome for Richard Hobson and his group. They’ve had a variety of seconds right here and that’ll imply the world.”