Bellshill captures the Gold Cup as Mullins continues Punchestown domination

Willie Mullins continues his domination at the Punchestown Festival and draws ever closer to Gordon Elliott in the race for the Trainers' Championship after Bellshill captured the Gold Cup on Wednesday evening.

The talented eight-year-old enjoyed a superb run under jockey David Mullins who timed the charge brilliantly to take the lead going over the final hurdle, and then hung on to finish half a length on front of another Mullins horse, Djakadam.

Noel Meade's Road to Respect finished back in third place, with the pre race favourite never really threatening to cause a stir.

It was Djakadam who led from the drop of the white flag, but Mullins over took him on board the 4/1 shot Bellshill to follow up a good run in the Irish Grand National in Fairyhouse earlier this month.

The win completed a string of three wins in succession for the Mullins stable, and the trainer has chiseled down the deficit to Elliott to just over €100,000.