GINGE BENEFITS

STARTS WITH THE TOP RACING 25-1 shock in Cup

OWNER John Neild fought back tears after his beloved Splash Of Ginge caused a huge shock in the BetVictor Gold Cup.

The Scouser dedicated the 25-1 Cheltenham victory to injured jockey Ryan Hatch who has been absent for almost a year.

He is still waiting for the all-clear to return to race-riding after he fractured his C6 and C7 vertebra at the base of his neck in a fall last December.

Hatch, who was among the elated band of connections who welcomed the winner yesterday, rode Splash Of Ginge to win the 2014 Betfair Hurdle. This time the horse gave young Tom Bellamy the biggest victory of his career.

Neild said: “This is for Ryan, he has had a year from hell. He’s part of our family and this horse means everything to us.”

Hatch said: “It’s one of those days you couldn’t imagine. It’s brilliant. I live with Bellsy (Tom Bellamy), he’s my best mate and John is the best, a proper bloke.”

Splash Of Ginge was always handy under a great ride from Bellamy and his rivals started to struggle as he took up the running turning into the home straight.

It was a fourth triumph in the race for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who added: “He’s got a big following this horse and he’s been remarkable for us.

“He just lost his confidence over fences a bit so we put him back over hurdles and he’s come back this season like a bull.

“He ran well at Wetherby but as soon as the rain came the soft ground is the key to him. I thought Foxtail Hill might do the job for us but he couldn’t cope with the ground.

“Let’s hope there’s a few more big winners left. It’s great for Tom, the owner John Neild likes giving young jockeys a chance.”