KICKING KING proved his doubters wrong by bounding up the infamously stamina-sapping hill to win Friday's Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at 4-1.

The Barry Geraghty-ridden seven-year-old justified favouritism by powering away from 25-1 outsider Take The Stand between the last two fences to take victory by five lengths.

Sir Rembrandt was a further eight lengths back in third with Royal Auclair a neck behind in fourth.

Although going off favourite, Tom Taaffe's charge had to prove that he had the stamina to see out the three and a quarter mile trip, but after hitting the front three fences from home the result was never in any doubt.

With the whole-hearted Grey Abbey ensuring that the field went round at a true gallop, Kicking King raced in mid-division for much of the race.

However, unlike many of his rivals, Geraghty's mount was able to quicken when it mattered.

The much-fancied Beef Or Salmon was pulled up after struggling at the back, fellow Irish raider Pizarro crashed to the floor as the pace hotted up, while Grey Abbey, Strong Flow and Celestial Gold were all one paced.

The opening race of the day, the JCB Triumph Hurdle, was taken by 9-1 shot Penzance.

The Robert Thornton-ridden charge held off Faasel by a head with favourite Akilak eight lengths behind in third.

Thornton was back in the winner's enclosure a little over half an hour later after guiding another 9-1 shot, Moulin Riche, to a two and a half length win from Over The Creek and Brewster in the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle.

In the amateur rider's Gold Cup, the Christie's Foxhunter Chase, Sleeping Night emulated Kicking King by obliging as favourite.

The 7-2 shot ran on well up the hill to keep Foly Pleasant three quarters of a length back in second.

Race five of the day, the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase, had a local interest in the shape of Purton trainer Dr Phil Pritchard who rode 100-1 outsider Davoski.

However, the pair were always struggling to keep up with the pace and eventually trailed in last of the 20 finishers, albeit only four lengths adrift of former two mile champion chaser Flagship Uberalles.

Fota Island (7-1), ridden by Paul Carberry, romped to a five length triumph at the business end of the race.

The festival was brought to a close with a thrilling victory for Fontanesi (16-1) in the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle.

Tuesday's highlight, the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, produced the finish of the festival with most of Ireland's seven protagonists involved.

In the end, reigning champion Hardy Eustace (7-2) held off Harchibald and Brave Inca in a titanic three-way sprint for the line.

Moscow Flyer (6-4) has still to be beaten in a race he has completed after scoring an impressive victory in Wednesday's Queen Mother Champion Chase.

With Barry Geraghty aboard the 11-year-old took advantage of a mid-race blunder by Azertyuiop to claim a three length win over Well Chief.

Thursday's inaugural Daily Telegraph Festival Trophy Chase was taken by one of last year's festival flops Thisthatandtother (9-2).

The Arkle favourite of a year ago held off Fondmort and Rathgar Beau to pass the post in front.

Meanwhile, there was an upset in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle where hot favourite Baracouda was beaten into second place.

Inglis Drever (5-1), ridden by Graeme Lee, kicked clear before the last to give trainer Howard Johnson and owners Andrea and Graham Wylie their third win of the festival having scored with Arcalis and No Refuge on the opening two days.