<text>  Coneygree became the first novice to strike for 41 years when making most of the running in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. The eight-year-old, trained by Mark Bradstock and ridden by Nico de Boinville, took the blue riband prize of steeplechasing on only his fourth race over fences. The success fully vindicated the decision to bypass the RSA Chase earlier in the week and run in the Gold Cup instead. Nico de Boinville kisses the Cheltenham Gold Cup following Coneygrees length and a half victory . De Boinville and trainer Mark Bradstock are all smiles with the 2015 trophy . De Boinville and Coneygree clear a fence on their way to victory at the Cheltenham Gold Cup . Coneygree clears the last hurdle to set up a grandstand finish at the Cheltenham showpiece . De Boinville celebrates following his 2015 Gold Cup triumph at Cheltenham . Coneygree became the first novice to strike for 41 years when making most of the running in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup . De Boinville is overcome with emotion on his way to the parade ring following Coneygrees thrilling victory . De Boinville is congratulated by the Cheltenham faithful as he makes his way to the winners enclosure . The 2015 Gold Cup champion punches the air as he is led past the grandstand . Coneygree trainer Bradstock is overjoyed following his horses Cheltenham result . Coneygree right did just enough to beat Djakadam and Road To Riches in a thrilling finish . Coneygree 7-1 held on up the hill by a length and a half from Djakadam 10-1, with Road To Riches 8-1 two lengths away in third. De Boinville said: Its the best feeling ever, Im lost for words. I never thought they shouldnt have run in this, it was a great plan. The weather gods were looking down on us and the ground was ideal. AP McCoy looks dejected after Carlingford Lough finished ninth at the Cheltenham Gold Cup . Hes so deceptive, even when he gets in tight hes brilliant, its all thanks to the Bradstock family, its a great family effort. I must thank the owners and the Bradstocks for keeping the faith in me. These horses only come once in a lifetime. Sara Bradstock, wife of the winning trainer and daughter of the late Lord Oaksey, who bred Coneygree, said: He Lord Oaksey is not here, but hes here in spirit. Id been saying to people, when we win the Gold Cup well win the lottery, its that amazing. Its only his fourth run over fences, but he had so much time off and hes wise in his own way. Lady Oaksey said: Ive been asking myself what decision would John Oaksey have made? As it turned out, it was a very good decision after looking at Vautour and Don Poli in the novice chases. To win this now - you dream and its absolutely amazing. It was the 19-times champions final ride in the Gold Cup before his retirement . Mrs Bradstock added: All the people quoted stats at us, but this horse knows how to jump and how to gallop and he showed them. We were forecast real rain, which made the decision for us, and it was an open Gold Cup. Its so unbelievable, Ive been in the yard from 6am until 10pm and its all for this. All the big yards spend telephone numbers on horses and our mare cost 3,000. People were asking after Newbury when Richard Johnson rode in the Denman Chase if Nico would get the ride back, but of course he would - he rides him beautifully, hell be a great jockey. Its a little bit back to work later as my favourite person, Carruthers, runs tomorrow at Uttoxeter, but I might not be at my best! It shows anyone can do it, you dont need millions . He didnt know hes a novice. The winning trainer said: Im numb, its wonderful. It wont sink in for a while, but its great. Zara Philips right was in attendance for the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase . Weve done it before in smaller races and well still keep doing it, but its fantastic to do it on the big stage. I cant remember where I watched it as Im not very good at watching races. The decision was very tricky because the weather forecast was so up and down and obviously we were liaising very closely with Simon Claisse clerk of the course and walking the course. But we made the right decision. Hes a gorgeous horse and its so tragic that Saras dad Lord Oaksey wasnt here today to see it. Rich Ricci, owner of the Willie Mullins-trained Djakadam, said: Hes run a stormer, I thought we had him but fair play to the winner, to run in this race as a novice and to do that from the front was spectacular. Hell be back next year. Weve had a great week. His rider Ruby Walsh said: Hes run a blinder. He made a few little jumping errors, but hes run a blinder for a six-year-old. He stuck his head out and gave me everything he had. Mullins said: We had a fantastic run and I was just commending the winners brave decision to run in the Gold Cup. It paid off and the winner did it the hard way in front. I was delighted with my horse. He ran well. He jumped great and got a good position. I dont have any excuses and Ruby doesnt either. Ruby Walsh centre had to contend with second place as Djakadam finished a length and a half behind Coneygree . Our fellow is only a six-year-old and the winners an eight-year-old. In those conditions, when stamina comes to the fore, age will always beat youth. Well go on to Punchestown. Noel Meade said of Road To Riches: He ran a great race. Were delighted and disappointed. What other way can you be? We thought we had a chance at the last. Its possible the ground was a disadvantage to us. Maybe it wasnt, but we think it might have been. Richie McLernon, rider of fourth home Holywell, said: He stays all day and you cant ask any more. He gave me his all today. His trainer Jonjo ONeill said: Were delighted with our little horse. It was a brilliant race really. We had to put a lot of effort in with his jumping. Hed be better on better ground, but today the best horse won. Our horse ran a blinder and were thrilled to bits with him. The winner is a fantastic horse and they couldnt catch him. Paul Nicholls, trainer of the vanquished favourite Silviniaco Conti, who was seventh, said: Noel Fehily is not really sure. My view is that the ground might have been deep enough for him. It was a bit more testing than we thought. Watching that I suppose he is better on a flatter track on better ground. If hes fresh and well well probably head to Aintree with him now. Tony McCoy was ninth on Carlingford Lough in what was his final ride in the Gold Cup before retirement. The 19-times champion said: I knew when we got here this morning we were in trouble. Hes a horse that likes good ground and for a horse thats slow but has a bit of speed at the end of his race, he doesnt like it when it turns into a drag. Paying tribute to the winner, McCoy said: Fair dos to the Bradstocks for running him. It was an unbelievable performance from a novice chaser. He got them at it early and stuck at it well. All credit to them. Its fantastic. 