By David Williams
Ben Jones described his winner as “a dream come true” as he and Lorcan Williams celebrated two victories for Welsh jockeys at the Cheltenham Festival.
Jones’ win came as owner Harry Redknapp enjoyed a first festival winner with Shakem Up’Arry on day three on Thursday.
Williams guided Golden Ace home for Somerset trainer Jeremy Scott, beating fancied Irish horses Brighterdaysahead and Jade De Grugy in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Having watched Sir Alex Ferguson notch a double earlier on the card, it was soon the turn of former West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham boss Redknapp to return to the Prestbury Park winner’s enclosure thanks to Jones – who supplemented his New Year’s Day triumph in great style.
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Sent off at 8/1 for the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase, the Ben Pauling-trained 10-year-old travelled supremely in the hands of Jones and having jumped the last already looking like the winner, he stuck his head down and galloped all the way to the line.
Jones, who is the son of Chepstow Racecourse clerk of the course Dai Jones, said: “The race went perfectly for me.
“I had a lovely little position turning for home, and I couldn’t tell you what I was thinking when I gave him a squeeze and he lit up.
“I’ve been in that position with horses coming at you late plenty of times and he idled in front, but the line came quick enough.
“A lot of jockeys get criticised for celebrating a big winner like this, but they don’t come every day and in my eyes you’ve got to cherish them.
“This horse means a lot to me. His picture will be on the wall for many years to come. Growing up, all you want to do is ride big winners and, after that winner in January, I couldn’t wait to get back here.”
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Redknapp said: “Get in there. How good was that? He jumped for fun, what a performance. I’m so happy, it’s unbelievable!
“My nan got me into racing, she was a bookie’s runner when she was young and every week she’d get locked up in the police station in the east end of London because betting was illegal in those days.
“She got me into it and I love every minute, I love the people, I love the racing. To have a winner at the Festival… I can’t tell you.”
The victory for Williams was also a moment for the Welsh jockey to enjoy.
He had claimed his first festival winner in 2021 when winning the St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase on Porlock Bay, a ride he had only been able to take as a result of amateurs being prohibited from riding due to coronavirus restrictions.
“We were always quietly confident,” Williams said.
“The one question mark was her jumping but the further she went the better she went today.”
"I've always dreamed of having a winner here, I can’t tell you how great it feels!"
Harry Redknapp's Cheltenham dreams have come true with Shakem Up'Arry…
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 14, 2024