Redemption: Happy Diva banishes last year's bad luck with brave BetVictor win

The grimaces of 12 months ago were replaced with beaming smiles when Happy Diva erased the memory of an unlucky exit last year to land the BetVictor Gold Cup.

Four fences to jump in one of the most competitive handicap chases of the year is a long way at Cheltenham but Happy Diva had yet to play her hand in last year's BetVictor when she was brought down in a melee that radically altered the complexion of the race.

Fast forward a year and she was again travelling ominously well at the same point but this time there was no unwanted drama lurking and, while Slate House looked unlucky when falling at the second-last, Happy Diva repeatedly repelled the challenge of runner-up Brelan D'As after the last to earn a well-deserved big-race success.

The significance of the win to trainer Kerry Lee, owner Will Roseff and his family was undeniable in Cheltenham's bustling winner's enclosure, with Lee adamant the celebrations would run late into the night.

"What a fantastic achievement and what a fantastic filly she is," said a chuffed Lee, who was stepping back into the big time having landed a Grade 1 with Kylemore Lough in 2016, the same season she won the Game Spirit with Top Gamble and the Welsh National with Mountainous.

"Once too often she's been the bridesmaid, which has always been a little bit frustrating but she is a Listed winner over fences and the form has always been there if you look back. She's always been on the coattails."

Lee heaped praise on the winning ride produced by 3lb claimer Richard Patrick, who was enjoying by far the biggest success of his career and carried out their game plan to the letter.

"It was a fantastic ride by Richard," she added. "He said he'd try and get the rail and I told him there were no ifs and buts about it, the rail is yours!

"With a circuit to go he had her absolutely perfectly positioned. I couldn't have been happier but I don't like to let myself get carried away because you never know what's around the corner.

"He's been with me three years and has come on as a conditional. He's a very balanced rider and is excellent on the big stage. Nerves don't matter to him – unlike me!"

Redemption: Happy Diva and Richard Patrick in triumph after the BetVictor Gold CupCredit: Grossick Racing

Lee was also quick to champion the loyalty of the Roseff family, a staple at her family's yard inHerefordshire for more than three decades and out in force to savour the win.

"They've been with my father since he started, going back well over 30 years," said Lee. "Will Roseff, his wife Nicky and their children Laura and Henry are all here today which is wonderful.

"They're fantastic for the reason that if you have a quiet day there's always another one and if you have a good one, boy do we all celebrate."

Victory was particularly memorable for Will Roseff, having named the winner after his ten-year-old daughter, who went missing momentarily as the hugs and handshakes rained in before she was reunited with the rest of her family.

"Could it be any better?" asked the winning owner, a former chairman of the bookmakers' committee. "It's just so marvellous and she's such a genuine mare. I thought we'd get a good win out of her somewhere but she's done us proud whatever.

"I feel part of the family with the Lees and this horse is named after my little girl who is autistic – we've always called her the Happy Diva. She's ten and my little boy is 12 and they're both here. It's fantastic."

The biggest talking point came at the second-last, when favourite Slate House was mounting a menacing challenge on the outside, only to knuckle on landing after jumping the fence well.

"I couldn't have been happier at the time," said a dejected Robbie Power, who returned with a scuffed face from the fall.

"I wasn't happy throughout but the further the race was going, the happier I was getting. There were still two and a half furlongs to go but I was going very well. He jumped the fence fine and I'd say he just tripped over or something – I don't know."

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