Sandown fairytale continues for Captain Guy Disney

Afghan war veteran 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 famously lifted the Royal Artillery Gold Cup last month, there was never a moment when he did not look like following up on David Pipe's charge. 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 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: "I'm not trying to be humble. It's not hard work out there and the leg doesn't make much difference."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."The Cheltenham Festival starts on Tuesday, and Disney quipped: "If anyone wants a one-legged jockey next week I'll be kicking about."Pipe added on Twitter: "A typically modest appraisal from an inspirational man. Well done Guy...beyond thrilled for you #RathlinRose."Alan King had to give out the marching orders ahead of Azzerti going one better than his previous run at Newbury in the Dumnell Champagne "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.Despite being sent off a 2-5 shot to add to his win at Towcester in December, the five-year-old was forced to pull out all the stops before defeating My Boy James by a length and three-quarters.King said: "He got himself in a dreadful state beforehand when the band struck up. He flipped his lid and when we got him saddled I ran down to get the band to stop. When you have a horse like that, the worse thing for them is a steel band."I was hoping he might go to Aintree, but I don't think he wants big festivals yet. We might wait and go to something like the Cheltenham meeting in April."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."Henderson added of the winner: "He is a half-brother to Altior, but that is where the similarities begin and end."I said to Patricia (Pugh, owner) he will win a race somewhere. He was on the transfer list. Bless him, he has had his day in the limelight."Nigel Twiston-Davies snapped his recent lean spell just in time for Cheltenham after Goodbye Dancer (28-1) came out on top in the Team Army Handicap Hurdle.Although failing to complete his previous two starts, the six-year-old ended his own losing streak stretching back to December 2015 when taking the extended two-mile-five-furlong prize by two and a quarter lengths to give the Naunton handler his first winner in 27 days.Assistant trainer Carl Llewellyn said: "They went quick and that suited him. To be fair, he is a small horse and he was carrying a lot of weight. It was a nice performance on that ground. It wasn't expected, though."They've been running well and have been running to the form they have been priced at. We know they are right and we know there is nothing wrong with them."Matt Sheppard enjoyed a rare winner at the course after Rock On Rocky (4-1) completed a hat-trick of wins under his son Stan in the Six Nations Rugby At 188Bet Handicap Chase.