Disney bids to extend fairy story in military first for Somerset track

3.25 Wincanton
McCreery Memorial Military Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RUK

Guy Disney, the first amputee jockey to win at a professional racecourse in Britain is to bid to keep his recent run of success going in Wincanton’s inaugural military race on Sunday.

Disney is to ride the Paul Nicholls-trained Bistouri D’Honore in the McCreery Cup, sponsored by Dextra, a handicap hurdle over just short of 2m4f which has attracted six runners. The race is open exclusively to past and present serving military personnel and Disney goes there on a roll after winning both the Royal Artillery Gold Cup and Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown this spring on the same horse, Rathlin Rose.

Disney has been getting to know his mount Bistouri D’Honore, who is owned by Colm Donlon, Ian Fogg and TV host Jeremy Kyle, at Nicholls' Ditcheat yard in recent weeks.

He said: "Riding at Wincanton is a great opportunity and it's fantastic to have another race for military jockeys in the National Hunt calendar. It's a real privilege to ride for Paul (Nicholls) - his record as champion trainer speaks for itself. The jump jockeys are a great bunch and it’s an honour to sit alongside them in the weighing room."

Paul Nicholls commented: "It’s fantastic that Guy is riding Bistouri D’Honoure – we are both highly competitive and will be looking to land the McCreery Cup. I'm delighted to be supporting this great initiative organised by Wincanton Racecourse.”

On the initiative, Huw Williams, general manager for Wincanton racecourse, said: "Our St George’s Day fixture promises to be a great raceday with a number of activities to entertain all including the new race."