Mum’s the word as Curtis enjoys surprise win at Cheltenham
FOURTEEN weeks after giving birth to a daughter, Rebecca Curtis scored her first Festival success since 2015 when the 50/1 chance Lisnagar Oscar stormed home in the G1 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. It was her fifth win at The Festival in total.
Ridden by Adam Wedge, for whom it was a first Festival win, seven-yearold Lisnagar Oscar beat 20/1 shot Ronald Pump by two lengths, with 33/1 Bacardys in third.
Curtis, from Pembrokeshire, said: “He ran a blinder on his last run and I am not sure whatever happened to him at the beginning of the season. We did find a few ulcers and things, so we treated him for that and he was so well at home. I thought 50/1 was a massive price.
“Adam is what I call such a solid, solid jockey. I am delighted for him to get his first Festival winner. He has given the horse a brilliant ride.
“I’m absolutely delighted. I thought he had a big chance today; I didn’t think he would beat [2019 winner] Paisley Park, but I thought he’d get placed. To see him improve that much – I’m just delighted.
“I was thinking, ‘don’t get caught, don’t get caught.’ He took a nice pull all the way and I thought they went a good gallop.
“It’s a time when I need it; I’m trying to rebuild the yard. I’ve had four winners here before, but it’s been five years, so it’s just great to win another one.”
Wedge, who has already passed his season’s best total of 59, added: “Things are going well and I have the right people behind me supporting me. We all work hard every day – there is not one person in that weighing room that doesn’t work hard and get up at 5am to ride out every day of the week.
“To come here and get a winner like that makes it all worthwhile - it’s what we strive for every day.”