From Norton's Coin to Coneygree: Unlikely Cheltenham Gold Cup winners

Who doesn't love an underdog? At Cheltenham there have been plenty over the years, especially on Gold Cup day.

The magnificent seven! Seven KIngs Handicap Hurdle winners at the Cheltenham Festival.

The KIngs Handicap Hurdle is always one of the most competitive races of the week and it is always a popular one with the punters. This year it promises to be better than ever with a competitive field lining up.

There have been some legendary winners of the race over the years and it will be interesting to see who can add their name to the roll of honour this year.

Here are seven of the best Kings Handicap Hurdle winners at the Cheltenham Festival.

1. Best Boy (1993)

Trained by the great Venetia Williams, Best Boy was one of the most consistent hurdlers of his generation. He won five races at Grade One level and was placed in six other races at the highest level.

Best Boy was also a winner of the KIngs Handicap Hurdle in 1993. He was ridden to victory by Sam Thomas, who is now a trainer himself.

Best Boy's win was part of a remarkable treble for Venetia Williams at the 1993 Festival. Her other two winners were Richmond Lake in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle and A Fine Day in the Stayers' Hurdle.

2. Celestial Star (1998)

One of the most popular horses in training, Celestial Star was trained by Martin Pipe and ridden by Ruby Walsh.

He was the 100/30 favourite for the KIngs Handicap Hurdle and won easily by five lengths.

Celestial Star's win was part of a remarkable five-timer for Martin Pipe at the 1998 Festival. His other four winners were Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle, Best Boy in the Stayers' Hurdle, Tout's Response in the Champion Chase and Risky Rebel in the Northern Star Handicap Hurdle.

3. Norton's Coin (1990)

The highest-priced winner in the history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Norton's Coin was an 88/1 shot when he won the KIngs Handicap Hurdle in 1990.

He was trained by Terry Biddlecombe and ridden by Mark Longman.

Norton's Coin's win was part of a hat-trick for Terry Biddlecombe at the 1990 Festival. His other two winners were Best Anticipate in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle and A Fine Day in the Stayers' Hurdle.

4. Mr Mulligan (1997)

AP McCoy won his first Gold Cup in 1997 on the unfancied 20/1 shot Mr Mulligan.

The favourite, Imperial Call, pulled up before the 18th fence and Mr Mulligan ran on to leave everyone else behind.

It was a good week for McCoy, who also finished second on Best Anticipate in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle and third on Risky Rebel in the Northern Star Handicap Hurdle.

5. Minella Plus (2022)

The Willie Mullins-trained Minella Plus was one of the most popular winners of the KIngs Handicap Hurdle in recent years.

The seven-year-old was backed from 15/2 into 9/2 to score by a neck on the day.

Minella Plus was one of three winners for Willie Mullins at the 2022 Festival. His other two winners were Energumene in the Champion Chase and Sir Gerhard in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

6. My Way (2023)

The Paul and Marie Guillaume-trained My Way was a surprise winner of the KIngs Handicap Hurdle in 2023.

The 12/1 shot was part of a remarkable four-timer for the trainers at the Festival. Their other three winners were L'Air Volant in the Champion Hurdle, Pederobba in the Mares' Hurdle and Jamil in the Selim Food Importers Rising Star.

My Way's win was also part of a treble for jockey Marc Granollers, who also won the Champion Hurdle on L'Air Volant and the Mares' Hurdle on Pederobba.

7. Risky Rebel (1998)

One of the best-backed horses of the Festival, Risky Rebel was the 9/2 favourite for the KIngs Handicap Hurdle in 1998.

He was trained by Martin Pipe and ridden by Ruby Walsh.

Risky Rebel's win was part of a five-timer for Martin Pipe at the Festival. His other four winners were Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle, Best Boy in the Stayers' Hurdle, Tout's Response in the Champion Chase and Celestial Star in the KIngs Handicap Hurdle.