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Charlie Deutsch and Venetia Williams add December Gold Cup to haul after Gemirande wins

Gemirande was another winter warmer for Charlie Deutsch and Venetia Williams in the Nyetimber December Gold Cup.

Jockey and trainer stopped off at Cheltenham to add yesterday’s £125,000 prize to their recent haul of major jump races.

Royale Pagaille’s Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 23 kick-started the stable’s unstoppable run over four consecutive weekends.

Gemirande carried the weight of expectation – but not any excess pounds from Deutsch – by halving in price to 11-2. And the popular pick pulled out more climbing Prestbury Park’s hill to fend off a persistent threat from 11-4 favourite Madara.

“Venetia is a magician with what she does with these horses,” said dad-to-be Deutsch, 5lb lighter after restricting his diet to make 10st 2lb.

“Losing the weight was definitely worth it. The race was coming up quick and I sweated quite a few pounds out last night and this morning. I had an apple yesterday, a banana and I got one piece of salmon at the races – even eating that I felt guilty. Luckily Venetia kept me on the horse, some trainers think I’ll just get a smaller jockey.

“My lad is so genuine and stuck his neck out.”

As far south as Ascot and Newcastle up north – racecourses 300 miles apart – Williams-trained horses have grabbed the glory.

Gemirande kept rolling after receiving a penultimate fence bump from the second-placed horse and finished a length up.

“It’s amazing,” said Herefordshire-based Williams, reflecting on her ever-expanding collection of race trophies.

“You always look at the big races that are on offer and see if you’ve got something for them. Charlie is a big guy, he’s got big shoulders and he wasn’t sure how he was going to do the weight. I think he’s an outstanding jockey.”

Race-riding brothers Sean and James Bowen shared the spoils in a thrilling dead-heat to the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.

Quantock Hills, the 11-2 mount of James, was joined by his elder sibling’s onrushing thoroughbred Teriferma (18-1) in the final stride.

“That is something that has never happened before and will probably never happen again,” said narrow jockeys’ title leader Sean.

This news appeared first on @Mirror

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