Cyfor Malta and Barry Geraghty take the lead

Trainer Martin Pipe claimed his fifth victory in seven years in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham - but from a less than expected source.

Cyfor Malta, who won the race in 1998, proved too strong for his rivals, including stablemate and favourite Chicuelo, with a seven-length win for another success.

The 16-1 shot, ridden by Barry Geraghty and who has come back from a serious leg injury two seasons ago, pulled clear two from home.

He held on up the tricky Cheltenham hill, holding off the challenge of Timmy Murphy's mount Poliantas (25-1).

Wave Rock, ridden by Rupert Wakely, who went off at 16-1 was back in third, five lengths behind Poliantas.

He jumped brilliantly Jockey Barry Geraghty

Pipe said: "It's super to see Cyfor Malta back in this sort of form.

"I'm elated to get him back to win this race again. He's had a few problems but it's really great.

"He's a lovely horse and he's done it exceptionally well."

After his win, Cyfor Malta's odds for the Hennessy Gold Cup were cut to 10-1.

Pipe's first-string, Chicuelo, who went off as the 2-1 favourite, was a big disappointment and was pulled up by jockey Tony McCoy towards the end.

He lost his way a bit last season but he was back at his favourite track today and he loved it Cyfor Malta's owner David Johnson

McCoy had been on a virtual starvation diet during the week to make the 10st 1lb to take the ride.

It was a day to remember for Pipe, who finished with four winners on his first visit to Cheltenham since he underwent an ankle operation in the summer.

After McCoy took the first race on Tarxien, Pipe had hobbled into the winner's enclosure to welcome home the winner.

Stormez, also ridden by Geraghty, won the Intervet Trophy, staying strongly at the end to beat Southern Star by three quarters of a length.

The David Johnson-owned five-year-old hit the front after the fourth last fence and answered all his jockey's urgings to take the prize.

Pipe completed his four-timer when McCoy scored an easy win in the Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.