'It felt like winning the Gold Cup' - Sue Smith and Joel Parkinson finally off the mark on their joint-licence

Joel Parkinson felt as if he had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup after saddling a first winner of his new partnership with Grand National-winning trainer Sue Smith.

Parkinson is the grandson of Smith's husband Harvey and joined the licence at their yard on Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire, in October. They had to wait more than a month before getting their breakthrough at the 33rd attempt, with O'Connell in the 3m1f handicap chase at the Cumbria track on Sunday.

"To be honest, that felt like winning the Gold Cup," Parkinson said. "It's only been a couple of weeks but it has felt like an eternity. It feels like the monkey is finally off our back now.

Joel Parkinson (left of horse) after O'Connell's win at Carlisle on SundayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"It's great for all the team too at home. They put in so much hard work and it's a bit of a slog when you're not getting winners, but hopefully it's the first of many. There won't be too many celebrations though; it'll be straight back to work today to try and get some more winners."

Smith's greatest victory came with Auroras Encore 66-1 shock in the 2013 Grand National, while Vintage Clouds and Mister McGoldrick won for her at the Cheltenham Festival. Parkinson hopes O'Connell's win can be just the start of many more great days.

"I don't have favourites, but if I did he'd have to be up there," he added. "Tom Ford is one of the joint-owners and he has six horses with us, so it meant a lot that one of his was the one to get us off the mark.

"Gavin Sheehan gave him a terrific ride. I told him to do what he thought best as, funnily enough, he rode his sister, Terresita, to win at the track last month."

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