English/Ire
Glengouly gallops on to December Gold Cup glory
“I just can’t believe it!”
Sean Bowen produced something of a front-running masterclass on Glengouly to give trainer Faye Brameley the biggest success of her career in the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
In a race run at a steady tempo, Sean Bowen dictated matters out in front on Glengouly, who jumped for fun out in front as those in behind often struggled for racing room.
Main contenders Jagwar, Vincenzo, Hoe Joly Smoke and Kim Roque were all close enough if good enough turning for home and it looked as though one of the aforementioned quartet would emerge from the pack to throw down a major challenge.
However, the challenge never came and the 33/1 shot Glengouly continued to gallop on strongly up the hill under Sean Bowen to record a comfortable length and a half success over the keeping on Vincenzo. Jagwar performed with credit on his return from an absence back in third for JP McManus and Oli Greenall and Josh Guerriero.
The Cheeky Pups syndicate, who own Faye Bramley's former Willie Mullins-trained inmate, have promised to donate £10,000 of their winnings to the Hunt Family Fund, which has raised close to £500,000 over the course of the week.
"I just can't believe it," said winning trainer Faye Bramley, who is based at Sir AP McCoy's Lodge Down Stables in Lambourn.
"To even be here with a runner, I love this Christmas Meeting, it's something else and to win is just unbelievable, isn't it?
"He was in the form of his life at home and really gleaming, his coat was shining and he's eating up. He's been working really well and coming here I knew he would run well but to win like that…. I was just thinking I bet Sean is loving it.
"Sean gave him an awesome ride. I am usually really nervous watching them, but I wasn't pacing today because I thought this is nice – not too fast and not too slow. There was just one moment when there was the sun on a fence, but he jumped great.
"He is great to train and a lovely person. I am really lucky to be around horses and owners like this, I am really grateful to The Cheeky Pups for giving me a shot."
Sean Bowen, who was riding his 155th winner of the campaign, added: "Hopefully AP will think I'm better from the front now! He had some good form here and ran well at Aintree, when he probably needed it a little bit.
"It's great to win a December Gold Cup as I haven't really won a big handicap at Cheltenham before.
"It's amazing what John Hunt and his daughter Amy have done. I've listened to a few of the podcasts this week, and John speaks incredibly. It's a brilliant to win a race in the name of John's family."
Plans remain open for Glengouly, while Vincenzo looks set to step up to three miles in the not-so-distant future and Jagwar, who was making his first start for over 300 days, will return to Cheltenham for his next outing.
"He was never the strongest of finishers but galloped to the line there," said Sam Thomas.
"We could step up three miles in the future. It's nice he's run well."
On the performance of Jagwar, Oli Greenall said: "Jonjo said he was just a bit rusty having not run for a long time. He got shuffled back a little bit through the race and lost his position. It then turned into a sprint, and they haven't gone quick at all. The winner has got a freebie in front really.
"Jumping the second last, he looked like he was motoring. He missed the last but wouldn't have won anyway.
"He will come on for it, and we'll stick at two and a half for the moment. He could come back here on New Year's Day or Trials Day."
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