Bellamy savours first Festival victory: “this tops my whole career"

Tom Bellamy tasted success at the Cheltenham Festival for the first time as White Noise regained the winning thread in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

A three-time winner earlier in the season, she was then defeated in Grade Two company at Warwick last month, but roared back to form with a brilliant performance from the front end.

A superb leap at the last sealed victory for the 40-1 chance, who is a first Festival success for Gold Cup-winning trainer Kim Bailey in combination with training partner Mat Nicholls.

Bellamy, riding his first Festival winner at the age of 31, said: “I’ve worked my whole life for this day. I’m genuinely speechless, I cannot believe it. A great performance from a really likeable filly. I’m delighted for the team at home, we’ve had a season. This tops my whole career, not just this season.

“I’m nearly crying here. I bunked off school as a kid to come and watch the Cheltenham Festival, and I can’t believe I’m walking around at the top here after winning.

“She’s a good horse. She was unlucky not to win last time - a few things went wrong during the race - but they went lovely and smooth today. I got a very good start and I was able to sit and do my own fractions for a bit, then I took a lead for a bit. I kind of ended up dictating the rest of the pack a little bit. It never felt in doubt, I just didn’t know what was coming from behind - luckily nothing.

“She was really good and slick with her jumping; she’s a big, heavy mare and she’s probably a chaser in the making, but she was so quick from a to b over all her hurdles. She was good and brave at the last and no looking round up the run-in, which she has done in other races, but I think the atmosphere here lifted her up, and away she went.

“In the previews I’ve done I’ve said all along that she shouldn’t be the price she is - I’m not saying I thought for one second she was going to win, but I could see her running into a place, and that she was an each-way bet.

“This means absolutely everything. I am waking to wake up, to be honest. I got beaten a neck once in the Pertemps and I thought that was it, because I haven’t even got close since. It means everything and Matt and Kim and the team have done a great job. I’m in a really privileged position to ride for them and for Alan King. The tides are turning - they’ve probably lacked top horses in the past few years and both yards are starting to come through again, and the future is bright, hopefully.”

Bailey said: “She was 80-1 this morning and Oli Bell tipped her up (on the Opening Show). She’s got really good form and we thought we’d beat the horse that beat us last time (Kingston Queen) because this 2m would suit her better. Tom gave her a great ride and gave her a breather at the right time.

“I’m thrilled for John (Perriss)as he’s been with me a very long time. It’s 38 years he’s been with me and that’s his first Cheltenham winner, or at least his first Festival winner. That’s his 103rd winner. They are the best people.

“It’s a great result for the whole yard and everybody involved. It’s fantastic, and that’s what this sport is all about.

“I was slightly disappointed when Tom suddenly decided to go and work for Alan King, but that doesn't make an ounce of difference. He’s done us proud, and we share him. He’s been a major factor in the whole situation,so it’s brilliant. It’s good news all round.”

The jockey’s mother Sue said: “It’s what dreams are made of. Big price, great for the yard, the lads, lasses, everybody. And for the mother who has to put up with him on the way home if it's gone badly!

Asked what the win would mean for her son, she quipped: “A girlfriend, maybe? Anybody out there, he’s a nice lad!”

John Perriss, the winning owner said: “Thirty-four years [with Kim Bailey], I’ve gone from one horse to eight with him this season.

“I’ve never had a winner at the Festival before, I’ve only had two runners before I think. It’s taken a long time, but we got there. She was at 80/1 at one point this morning, someone tipped her on the morning line, she went from 33 to 80!

“I had a few quid on each way last night, but not a big one at all.”

Mark Walsh, rider of the runner-up Oldschool Outlaw said: "She ran a really good race and we couldn't be happier. We're delighted."