NATIVE River finished fourth as Al Boum Photo gave trainer Willie Mullins his first victory in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup following a dramatic race for the showpiece event at the Prestbury Park course.

Tizzard's mount Native River, the defending champion, was hurried along from midfield early on and, despite finding a rhythm midway through the race and staying on strongly, was swamped by Mullins' hero.

Leading at the second-last fence, Al Boum Photo (12-1) dug deep for jockey Paul Townend, who was also winning the Gold Cup for the first time.

Anibale Fly stayed on strongly to finish second, two and a half lengths away, with Bristol De Mai another three and three-quarter lengths back in third.

After six second places, Mullins finally broke his Gold Cup hoodoo. His three other runners - Kemboy, Bellshill and Invitation Only - failed to finish.

Earlier, Tizzard's Pingshou finished dead last of the County Handicap Hurdle field in 22nd. 

The Dorset trainer's Rockpoint, in 14th, was also last of the finishers in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. Stablemate Darlac was pulled up.

In the Gold Cup, Tizzard's Thistlecrack was also pulled up while Elegannt Escape finished sixth.

Robert Walford's Mr Medic finished outside the places in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.