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Meetmebythesea powers to Festival glory in Jack Richards
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 12 Mar 2026
Meetmebythesea provided Ben Pauling and Ben Jones with the perfect Cheltenham Gold Cup appetiser when storming to victory in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
The King George-winning trainer and jockey will go for gold with The Jukebox Man on Friday, but Meetmebythesea had long been talked of as one of their leading chances of the Festival and delivered in style at odds of 9-1.
As has been the theme of the week, Jones had the six-year-old up with the pace throughout and having entered the home straight locked in battle with runner-up Gold Dancer, a tremendous jump at the last enabled Meetmebythesea to surge four and three-quarter lengths clear.
Pauling said: “He was very good. He was quick and nimble when he needed to be and he was bold when he needed to be.
“I don’t think I wanted him to be that far forward, but he was enjoying himself and I’m delighted for JP (McManus, owner), who is a huge supporter of the industry. I’ve been training for 13 years and to have the support of someone like that helps a lot.
“This was one of the darts we hoped would run really well this week and it’s nice to see it come off.”
Looking ahead to the the big one on Friday, the trainer added: “I’m pleased we’ve had a winner before that! It was always going to be a nervous week if we were going into Friday without a winner.
“This doesn’t change anything, but it changes the mood and the feel, which is important for everyone.
“Hopefully now we can go and do the business tomorrow.”
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