FAYE BRAMLEY enjoyed the biggest success of her training career as Glengouly and Sean Bowen made all the running in Cheltenham’s Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup at 33-1.
The nine-year-old, running in the colours of The Cheeky Pups syndicate, was racing from 9lb out of the handicap proper and went off the rank outsider of the 10-runner field.
But the champion jockey sent his mount into the lead at the first fence and the combination were never headed, battling up the hill to hold the challenge of 7-2 shot Vincenzo by a length and a half. Jagwar, the 11-4 market leader, was a neck away in third.
Bramley, whose landlord at the Lodge Down Stables in Lambourn is Sir AP McCoy, said: “I can’t believe it – to even be here with a runner is 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.
“I knew he would run well, but to win like that?
“I am really lucky to be around horses and owners like this – I am so grateful to The Cheeky Pups for giving me a shot, and Sean gave him an awesome ride.”
The race was run in honour of The Hunt Family Fund founded by John Hunt and his daughter Amy in memory of the popular commentator’s wife Carol and daughters Hannah and Louise, who were murdered in July 2024.
Its aims are to raise money for charities that help and inspire young women and, after a Winter Wonderland fundraiser at Cheltenham on Thursday contributed £50,000 – Glengouly’s owners also donated £10,000 of their £71,187.50 first prize – it is closing in on £250,000.
“It’s amazing what John Hunt and his daughter Amy have done,” said Bowen, riding the 155th winner of his title defence.
“I’ve listened to a few of the podcasts this week and John speaks incredibly. It’s brilliant to win a race in the name of John’s family.
“It’s great to win a December Gold Cup as I haven’t really won a big handicap at Cheltenham.
“He was out of the handicap but AP and Faye know what they are doing. AP said to my agent, ‘I promise you he has a massive chance.’”
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