The 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup - in pictures

Cheltenham racecourse is awash with tweed and cloth caps today ahead of the big race at 3.20pm Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Apart from these chaps who failed at any stage when dressing themselves to notice the truly hideous nature of their suits Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian A huge image of last year's winning jockey Paddy Brennan hangs near the beer tent. Brennan won the Gold Cup aboard Imperial Commander last year as the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained horse romped home by seven lengths Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, is among the famous faces at the races today. Fergie owns What A Friend, who beat pre-Gold Cup favourite Imperial Commander when the two went head-to-head at Aintree last year Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Katie Price aka Jordan arrives her new boyfriend and is quickly surrounded by snappers. Bet she's happy with that Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Apparently she's not taking part in the dancing. Not yet anyway Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Singer Lily Allen is also spotted in the parade ring sizing up the options Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian ... while News international executive Rebekah Wade and her husband Charlie Brooks seem to be enjoying themselves Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Having parted with their cash, the regular punters take to the stands to watch the big race ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian There are a number of decent candidates to back today. Long Run eventually edges out Imperial Commander to become the narrow favourite at 7-2. Former champions Kauto Star and Denman are also well backed to regain the famous cup Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian The runners eye up the first fence shortly before the start. Amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen (wearing orange and brown) sits aboard Long Run, next to Ruby Walsh (wearing green) aboard Kauto Star Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Denman (on the right) finds himself near the back of the field early on, but there's plenty of time for him to shift through the pack Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Long Run takes up the inside line, but the six-year-old isn't jumping too steadily compared to his rivals Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Fans in the grandstand watch anxiously as the horses begin the second lap Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian One man, more anxiously than others .... That's Nicky Henderson - Long Run's trainer Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Kauto Star - the two time winner - leads the field and looks in good shape as they encounter the last half dozen fences ... but Denman, his stable-mate, moves onto his shoulder and provides a gripping chase Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Denman edges past Kauto by half a length, but then the youngster, Long Run, comes from behind and kicks hard to push himself in front Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian ... and crosses the line first to win the Gold Cup! Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Waley-Cohen is absolutely thrilled with his achievement. What a race that was - Kauto Star and Denman were side-by-side down the home straight before Waley-Cohen urged his ride through with a dramatic late burst Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Ruby Walsh congratulates his rival, who becomes the first amateur jockey to win the race in 30 years Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Long Run gets a deserved pat on the neck. He's the youngest Gold Cup champion since Mill House in 1963 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Nicky Henderson looks delighted as the champion is brought back to the paddock Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Henderson gets his trophy from Princess Anne Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian ... before Waley-Cohen gets his hands on a richly deserved Gold Cup Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian