CORK jockey Gavin Sheehan landed his first Cheltenham winner when partnering Cole Harden to victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle on Thursday.
The 14/1 Warren Greatrex trained horse was given a splendid ride by the promising Sheehan, who was delighted to claim a significant win at the Festival.
“It was amazing,” Sheehan beamed. “This is what dreams are made of. He jumped off well, but I had to get at him just to get my way so I could get in front. He jumped brilliant and did everything right. He was full of running and I didn't know whether to squeeze on earlier as he had so much running in him. He's done everything right, but I was just waiting for a horse to fly past me and beat me.
“It's very, very special. Warren has given me the lecture beforehand and he was psyching me up. He was making sure that they weren't going to go to make a war of it, but with fractions you can't get them right all of the time. You can only feel what the horse is giving. He gave me an exceptional ride.
“His jumping was brilliant – he was very quick, did everything right and I was just very nervous coming down the hill. I was holding on to him, but it was one of those where should you be sending him on or not?
“The minute I've turned in though, he's picked up. If you've got a good enough horse like that, front running doesn't bother me as you know you can hold on. If they come past you, it's not your fault."
Champion jockey AP McCoy registered his first success in the 2015 Festival in the Ryanair Chase when guiding Uxizandre home for boss JP McManus.
"I felt joy and happiness," McCoy said afterwards. "I'm not going to miss riding until the end of the season when I pack up. Cheltenham is all about winning, and while I came this week with a few chances I knew it wasn't going to be easy."
In the St Patrick's Derby James Collins steered Knight's Parade to victory in a race which is run in aid of the Injured Jockeys fund.
Collins, champion conditional jockey in Ireland back in 1989, was thrilled. “That was great,” Collins remarked. “He's a great horse. I need to thank Gordon Elliott and the Bodhran Syndicate for letting me ride him. It was easy.
“I'd also like to thank Tony Martin and Eric McNamara who let me ride out to get fit. It was a fabulous day.”
