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.
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