'It puts life into perspective' - Sherwood on beating cancer and 'special' filly

Saturday: Cheltenham

Queens Gamble followed up her staggering win here in April to bolt up in the Listed mares' bumper by eight lengths to create another stirring moment in the Cheltenham winner's enclosure for trainer Oliver Sherwood.

Sherwood was waiting for the all-clear from cancer when his filly announced herself on the the scene and described himself as "quite emotional" after the performance of his new stable star.

The Lambourn trainer, 67, insisted he was now better and was "all systems go", while Queens Gamble herself further enhanced her growing reputation and is now 10-1 joint-favourite for the Champion Bumper at the 2023 festival.

Sherwood, who will aim her at the Listed mares' bumper at Huntingdon on December 4, said: "To get a filly like that is very special. She's as good a filly as I've trained and I've won the mares' [novice hurdle] final at Newbury a few times.

"I'd always thought she was nice but you never think you're going to win two bumpers like that, especially a Listed one."

Sherwood admitted he was "touched" by the reception after a difficult year. He added: "The word cancer is such a swear word now but it was worse for my family, my wife and kids, because I just felt s**t and carried on.

"I got the all-clear at Easter and had a couple of check-ups and it’s all systems go. It does put life into perspective a little bit.

“To get a horse like that makes it all worthwhile and for all of the work of my team. It was a tough winter but it's worthwhile."

Juvenile gem

was beaten twice at Group level on the Flat with Aidan O'Brien but has been galvanized since going jumping and switching to Milton Harris, and enjoyed his breakthrough at Graded level in the JCB Triumph Trial.

Paddy Brennan pushed his mount into the lead jumping the final hurdle and, although he hung right, was able to hold off Perseus Way in the Grade 2 by two and a quarter lengths.

It was a repeat victory for connections following the success of Knight Salute for Harris and Brennan last year, while part-owner Mark Adams, of the Four Candles Partnership, races Scriptwriter in his own name.

Scriptwriter (middle): now 16-1 for the Triumph HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Adams said of the 16-1 Triumph Hurdle shot: "The dream is always to come here for the Triumph Hurdle and be coming up the hill similar to how he did here. There's a long time between now and then but he's on the right path.

"I've believed in this horse since we bought him, especially after the first run [at Sedgefield] where, while he ran green, he showed he could jump. Paddy was extremely positive afterwards.

"Milton and I felt that if he could jump a hurdle, then he'd take some beating, and that's proved to be the case so far. We'll dream about this season before the next."

Andrews repays faith

Trainer Ben Pauling was full of praise for Jack Andrews after he won the 3m1f amateur jockeys' handicap chase with Anightinlambourn.

The jockey, who is the younger brother of Cheltenham Festival winners Gina and Bridget, won 15 times as a professional, including a treble at Doncaster last year, before rejoining the amateur ranks.

Anightinlambourn (left): won the amateur handicap under Jack AndrewsCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Gina rode her last time and wanted to ride again, but she had to ride a horse for Kim Bailey, who was a non-runner," said Pauling.

"She rang me this morning to ask if she could get back on board and I said 'not a chance', so Jack had a little bit of a point to prove.

"He held on to her beautifully and produced her to win at the last. It was a cool ride from a jockey who is an amateur in name only. He's a professional and a seriously good rider. Due to his height, he's decided to go back to being an amateur but he's incredibly able.

"There's a race back here for her in December but she's probably just blown her chances of getting in as it's a 0-125 handicap.

"She'll have to have a break at some point as she's been on the go for a long time. I was optimistic she could turn the form around but wasn't sure she'd be able to win off this mark after going up 6lb."

Results, replays and analysis

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