Cheltenham: Gemirande completes December Gold Cup for Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch | Racing News

Gemirande dug deep to give Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch another big success on Saturday in the December Nyetimber Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old was conspicuous in the £125,000 contest, but looked set to pose a serious threat from Madara when that rival came to challenge over the final two fences.

However, Gemirande (11/2) jumped both of those hurdles effectively and found just a little more up the hill to clear the distance.

Last year's winner Fugitif put up a strong defense of his title but had to settle for third place this time, another seven and a half back.

Deutsch said: “I love this horse, he is very characterful and his jumping was electric.

“It's a pleasure to put his head in front, he loves racing and is very enthusiastic. His jump is so fast, he really likes it, so I was aware that we needed a breather on the way around.

“I felt I had a bit there (at the end), it was just whether Madara had a bit more, but it's a real game and he tries.

“He's definitely gotten better with age, he struggled to finish his races earlier in his career. It's good that he's getting there now. Venetia is a magician with what will be what she's doing with these horses.”

Recent big wins for trainer-jockey mixes have included Royale Pagaille and Djelo, and Deutsch said: “I like him a lot, I'm confident and I know how Venetia work now. I have so much confidence in her and her horses. .”

On her hot streak, Williams said: “It's been amazing. You always look at the great races available and see if you have something for them.

“I wanted to run this horse in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, but he was out of the weight, so we went to Ascot instead. a long time

“Charles wasn't quite sure how he was going to make the weight (10st 2lbs) and I didn't know what he was going to cut out! '.

“He's a big man, he's got big shoulders and he hasn't done 10st 2lb for a while. I think he's a fantastic jockey.

“It wasn't really a full season for the horse last season. He was overreached which took time to get over, so the final season didn't really count.

“We don't achieve long-term targets, this was good enough.

Williams could be double-handed as he seeks another big win in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

She said: “We hope to run both L'Homme Presse and Royale Pagaille in the King George. L'Homme Presse worked this morning and that's the plan for now.

Bowen brothers share spoils in thriller Triumph Trial

The JCB Triumph Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham came to an exciting finish as the Bowen brothers, James and Sean, shared the spoils through a dead heat between Quantock Hills and Teriferma.

James looked to have claimed a decisive advantage when the Warren Greatrex-trained Quantock Hills (11/2) made a good jump forward at the final flight to take the lead.

However, Sean forced a late charge from 18/1 shot Teriferma to top the line, giving Jack Jones his second straight success in this race following An Bradan Feasa's victory last year.

Irish raider Total Look paid the price for a couple of costly jumping mistakes in the closing stages and was a neck back in third as the 11/8 favourite.

Greatrex said: “It's a family business for the Bowens, and our man is a lovely horse. He's never run on the Flat and is just inexperienced. Future.

“He was just leaving when he hit the front – it's a big place when you come here for the first time.

“I thought we had won at first and then I thought we had been beaten. He was on his own so he had nothing to run with, but he is a good horse ' there, I would say.

“He could be a horse for the Boodles (Juvenile Handicap Hurdle). I think he will be better on softer ground, he looked the winner from a long way out and we just got there a bit too early I guess. .”

He said: “That's two runners and two winners at Cheltenham this season for us now – I might not go back! Obviously, what happened to Abuffalosoldier at the last meeting was very sad, but he won and showed everyone what he could do that day. . It's part of the job unfortunately.”

Jones said: “Very happy, it's a strange feeling with a dead heat, but I guess it's a winner, isn't it?

“He was very happy. I think if he had finished second, if he had died or if he had won outright, he might have taken us out of the race and as we hit the line.

“It's funny because we're really disrespecting the Quantock Hills in France, which is very strange, and for the two Bowen boys to be dead as well.

“We've had our horse for two or three months now and it's been very simple. We won this race last year with Bradan Feasa, who would be a bit better than a thinker I suppose, but this guy is a man.

“Sean said he jumped a bit big and we were a bit on the back foot. He missed three out and was a bit further back which was better because he jumped, but like it's ready, you'd rather come up that mountain than slow down and I'm delighted.

“I thought we were too precious. He had won two hurdle races and a heavy second, so I don't know how we left at 18/1.

“I thought this boy was a better horse than the boy was last year, his school was good and there was no reason why he wasn't going to be a good horse.

“The Boodles would be a logical step. When Willie Mullins brings out his youngsters, we might leave that race (Triumph Hurdle) to them.”

Haiti Couleurs looks good for Rebecca Curtis

Rebecca Curtis seems to have found a horse that could send her back to the big time after Haiti Couleurs put up a good show at Cheltenham.

The Welsh trainer is no stranger to success in the Cotswolds, having enjoyed Festival glory with the likes of Teafortree, At Fishers Cross and Stayers' Hurdle hero Lisnagar Oscar.

However, there has been time between drinks for Curtis, with the last one having a shock effect four and a half years ago, her last at grade level.

A dual winner over hurdles at the end of last season, Haiti Couleurs finished second on his debut at Chepstow in October before going one better in some style at Aintree last month.

He was a 4/1 shot to follow in the Josh Wyke Novices' Birthday Limited Handicap Chase and jumped right across the chase for Sean Bowen before digging deep in the home straight to be longer than two and three quarters.

Stayer Transmission took the 11/8 favorite Peaky Boy into second place.

“He continues to improve this horse. He obviously had a good rookie season (over hurdles) last season, but he hit himself pretty bad the year before and missed a whole year, so he's still a bit back for ages,” said Curtis.

“With races it's getting better and I don't know where it's going to end up really. I really loved him for the National Hunt Chase because he stays all day, but Sean said he has improved a lot since he won Aintree wouldn't you. know if it will end up in the Brown Council.

“It's good to be back here. We're getting that type of horse again that will at least keep us on the map.”

A day of glory for Lucy Waham

Game On For Glory cruised to victory in the Channel Mares Handicap at Cheltenham.

Lucy Wadham's charge had twice run well by losing on the track, finishing second in a handicap in 2021 and in the Grade Two Mares' Novices Limited Handicap Final in – last spring.

Having swept away any cobwebs when she finished fourth on her reappearance at Market Rasen in October, the eight-year-old was sent off at 22/1 under jockey Harry's Hero Cobden and dug deep in the run to score by a length and three. – quarters from So Said I.

Wadham said: “She ran very well here in the spring and had a great start to the season when she ran well at Market Rasen.

“We've been a bit relaxed since then, so we were just waiting for this race and she did well.

“She's tough and she knows how to win. This was the target, maybe she'll come back here in April, but I don't know what we'll do yet.

“We had a rubbish day yesterday – we had four runners and they all finished almost last. Today we had a winner at Doncaster and now a winner here – you can't make it up, can you?' It's a funny old game?