Nietzsche hands claimer Danny McMenamin memorable Cheltenham win

On just his third ride at Cheltenham 7lb claimer Danny McMenamin landed the biggest win in his short career as he steered 20-1 shot Nietzsche, trained by Brian Ellison, to a neck victory over Silver Streak in the Greatwood Hurdle.

McMenamin, 18, has only won six races but he has been quietly making a name for himself in the north, where he is conditional to Nicky Richards, and he showed just why he is highly regarded with a composed ride on Nietzsche, who kept on strongly up the hill to repel the second's challenge.

"It was a great run from Nietzsche," said McMenamin. "He was travelling really well throughout. I had to kick on after the final hurdle and he kept on strongly through the home straight.

"He was idling in front and then when the other lad came to him he picked up again. He's a game little horse and gives you everything he has.

"Back home my local track was Downpatrick and I used to go there as a kid. I just fell in love with the sport.

"I've been attached to Nicky Richards for over a year. He's been good to me and hopefully the success will continue."

Watch Nietzsche strike gold in the Greatwood

Nietzsche was third in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival in 2017 but had failed to build on that, making ten subsequent starts without victory before landing Sunday's £100,000 handicap.

Ellison said: "It's fantastic having a winner here and this horse has proved he likes the track. He just lost his way last year, like a lot of juveniles do in their second season. We couldn't understand why because he used to work well at home.

"We scoped him and couldn't find anything wrong so decided to try a tongue-tie to see if it would help. We ran him at Newmarket and he went well [in a 1m4f handicap earlier this month], so he came here in good form.

"We were very optimistic today because he's run some good races here. I thought he was overpriced today."

On young conditional McMenamin, the trainer added: "He's very, very good but he works for Nicky. I don’t think he’s going to let him go to me. He's a good lad and is lot of use."

Evan Williams, who had been downbeat on the prospects of Silver Streak winning in his pre-race views, is planning a return trip to the course next month after narrowly missing out.

"I thought we had it," he said. "The horse has run a great race. I imagine we'll have to dip our toe into a conditions event somewhere. We might keep coming back to Cheltenham and could look at a race like the International Hurdle at the December meeting."

Old Guard ran on for third in his attempt to become the first dual-Greatwood Hurdle winner, and his rider Lorcan Williams said: "He is brilliant, just a bit older and a bit slower now. He needs a bit further and has run an absolutely phenomenal race – we were giving the winner the best part of two stone. It was brilliant."

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