Jockey Nico de Boinville spoke of his gratitude to Mark and Sara Bradstock after riding Coneygree to Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup glory.

De Boinville, who has been a professional jockey for barely a year, made all the running on the eight-year-old for the Bradstocks, who train at Letcombe Bassett, near Wantage, to claim a famous victory.

“It’s terrific – a dream come true,” he said.

“I’m just very grateful to Mark, Sara and the owners for letting me ride him.

“I had no influence in whether he went for this race, but I was confident in their decision and after the rain last night, I couldn’t have been happier.

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“The horse is very straightforward.

“I always knew I had a bit more left at the end.

“When we turned at the top of the hill, he went again and I knew after the downhill fence (three out) that he would go again and keep finding.”

The Bradstocks’ son, Alfie, had done much of the schooling work with Coneygree.

And he said: “He is just amazing. He is the most pleasant horse to work with – he does everything you ask him and just tries so hard with everything.”