'We've got lots to dream about' - Golden Ace defeats well-touted Irish rivals in Mares' Novices' Hurdle for Jeremy Scott

The last time jockey Lorcan Williams entered the winner's enclosure at the Cheltenham Festival there was almost no one there to greet him, while trainer Jeremy Scott suspected the feeling he had when Dashel Drasher was second in last year's Stayers' Hurdle would not be topped.

Yet both men were able to revel in the unexpected joy — for most observers — of a festival winner after Golden Ace defeated Brighterdaysahead, one of the week's biggest talking horses, and Jade De Grugy to win the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Victory for one of the two Irish-trained mares was widely expected, particularly after Dysart Enos, who had defeated Golden Ace in last year's mares' bumper at Aintree, was an absentee having been slightly lame on Thursday morning.

However, the unpredictability of sport that had been missing from so much of the action on the opening two days of this year's festival — El Fabiolo's mishap in the Queen Mother Champion Chase aside — returned in abundance on Thursday, with misfortune befalling both Brighterdaysahead and Jade De Grugy.

Jack Kennedy endured a torrid time on Brighterdaysahead. A lack of pace led to more than one scruffy jump and as the big mare latched on to the bridle coming down the hill towards the penultimate hurdle, the rider strained to try to get her to relax. She would not listen.

As the field jumped the hurdle, Jade De Grugy was shuffled back and became caught in a pocket. Paul Townend tried to get her out but was held in a place he did not want to be by Rachael Blackmore and Birdie Or Bust.

Golden Ace kept wide and off the steady pace she was best placed to use the Flat speed in her breeding to surge away from Brighterdaysahead, whose exuberance proved her undoing.

Jeremy Scott celebrates his first Cheltenham Festival success with Golden AceCredit: John Grossick

"It's an emotional moment," Scott said. "I thought coming second here last year with dear old Dashel Drasher was something but that was very special. We've got lots to dream about and we'll enjoy this moment." 

It was also a moment to enjoy for Williams. 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."

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