Captain Guy Disney – the first rider to win a race under rules in Britain with a prosthetic leg – pulls off military Gold Cup double
Disney and Rathlin Rose had teamed up to win the Royal Artillery Gold Cup three weeks ago and they tasted more glory in the Grand Military version
CAPTAIN Guy Disney - the first rider to win a race under rules in Britain with a prosthetic leg - pulled off a military Gold Cup double at Sandown as Rathlin Rose sprinted clear in the Grand Military version.
Having won the Royal Artillery Gold Cup three weeks ago, there was never a moment when he did not look like following up.
Sent off the 7-4 favourite, Disney was always in the right position before taking up the running approaching the Pond Fence.
Renard was some 12 lengths back in second, with A Tail Of Intrigue third.
Disney, a veteran of the Afghan war, said: "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for David Carey (person who helped get his riding licence back) and lot of other people.
"It is magical and what a lovely horse. This race went nicely. He shortened at a few of them and I probably asked him a bit too much.
"I started to fill him up and then we started pinging a few. Then coming up the hill I thought 'I can put the pressure on here'. He picked up beautifully and it was just sit tight and get him over them.
"He is class, to win with an amateur like me on he has got to be pretty decent and I just try not to get too busy on him.
"What a training performance as well, as he went wrong in May 2015. He had his first win back in January and if they keep him right he is just lovely."
He went on: "It's because of the work of the likes of David Carey, the Pipes, the lads who chucked my tourniquet on. It is because of their efforts I get the chance to do this.
"Tonight I will have some pints with a mate and kick on point-to-pointing. I love winning, like anyone else doing it. It's the most phenomenal sport. I loved my time in the army and the expeditions, but you don't replicate days like this very easily."
Earlier the Italian Major Domenico D'Alo made his first ride over obstacles a winning one in the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorial Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle (Military Amateur Riders).
Riding Silverhow (7-2) for Nicky Henderson, he pulled clear up the hill to beat Kastani Beach.
Silverhow is closely related to next week's red-hot Arkle favourite Altior and runs in the same colours.
"It's like a dream, thank you to everybody, the horse and particularly Nicky Henderson," said D'Alo.
"It has been a great experience here, it's a very different way to prepare horses.
"This was my first race over hurdles but I've had plenty of winners on the Flat.
"I'm a guest here but I have a very good feeling here."