Native River proved an indomitable force in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

The Colin Tizzard-trained eight-year-old was sidelined for the best part of the year after finishing third in last year's renewal, but made a most impressive return in the Denman Chase at Newbury last month and was a 5-1 shot to go two places better in the blue riband.

Champion jockey Richard Johnson appeared determined to make it a test from flag-fall, asking Native River for some extravagant leaps whilst setting a searching gallop.

The King George VI Chase hero and 4-1 favourite Might Bite was the only one able to lay a glove on Native River from a long way out and looked set to claim the crown after looming alongside early in the home straight.

Native River, though, refused to bend and following a titanic tussle up the famous hill, it was Native River who powered four and a half lengths clear.

Tizzard said: "It's unreal. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is everything in everyone's life and there's no pretending it's not.

"Richard Johnson was galloping as fast as he could and jumping as fast as he could all the time and the horse never let him down once.

"I can't believe it. It doesn't get better, does it?

Johnson was riding his second Gold Cup winner, 18 years on from his triumph aboard Looks Like Trouble.

Johnson said: "Eighteen years seems a long time!

"I'm speechless. He's been a fantastic horse for me and I was lucky to pick up the ride on him.

"You need a brave horse that stays and jumps to win a Gold Cup and that was what he was today."

There was a sting in the tail for Johnson who picked up a seven-day whip ban and a fine of £6,550.

Native River's victory complete a doubled on the card for Tizzard, with Kilbricken Storm having earlier caused a 33-1 upset in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle in the hands of Harry Cobden.

The Apple's Shakira bubble was burst as Farclas shed his maiden tag in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Three-times course winner Apple's Shakira was all the rage as the 6-5 favourite, but could only finish a lacklustre fourth as 9-1 shot Farclas reversed Leopardstown form with Mr Adjudicator to provide Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud with yet another winner at this year's Festival under Jack Kennedy.

Elliott said: "I knew there was just a jump between him and Mr Adjudicator and it shows that was the best form.

"He's growing the whole time and he'll go to Punchestown, I would imagine."

Elliott went on to secure an eighth winner of the Festival, ensuring he was the leading trainer for the second successive year, after Blow By Blow (11-1) took the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle under Donagh Meyler.

Harriet Tucker performed an amazing feat in the saddle as she overcame a dislocated shoulder to guide the Paul Nicholls-trained Pacha Du Polder (25-1) to a repeat success in the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase.

She said: "I was pushing and praying that no one was going to beat me because I couldn't hit him any more with my right hand, so I just had to keep pushing and screaming at him and he just got there."

Bridget Andrews rode her first Festival winner aboard Dan Skelton's Mohaayed (33-1) in the Randox Health County Hurdle, while Nicholls finished with a double on the day courtesy of the Barry Geraghty-ridden Le Prezien (15-2) in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.