JODY TOWNEND was left on cloud nine after she bagged her first ever win at the Cheltenham Festival.
The younger sister of champion jockey Paul Townend won the Champion Bumper on board Bambino Fever.
She joins the likes of Katie Walsh and Rachael Blackmore as female jockeys to win the race.
And speaking to RacingTV, she beamed: “I’m beyond cloud nine, I can’t believe it and it will take some time to sink in.
“I was in front soon enough on her and I was looking up at the big screen thinking ‘please don’t come up the inner’ so it was a big relief when I got to the line.
“I got a perfect position and I couldn’t believe it when I jumped off and got where I wanted to be, it normally doesn’t happen in that race.
“She always keeps trying and has a heart of gold and this is a special place for me now anyway.
“I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a child and have grown up watching Paul ride winners round here, but it’s my turn to be happy now.”
John McConnell’s Heads Up picked up second, with Thomas Cooper’s Shuttle Diplomacy an even bigger price in third at 66/1.
Bambino Fever became the first mare since Relegate in 2018 to win the Champion Bumper.
It was another landmark win for trainer Willie Mullins, who now has a staggering 14 Champion Bumpers in his collection.
And having formed a formidable partnership with Jody’s older brother, Mullins was impressed by the younger Townend.
Mullins said: “She had two runs and was very good both times and everyone was very keen to leave Jody on her, which was a great decision.
“She gave her a fabulous ride, she was in the right position at all stages and has a clock in her head.
“I didn’t say anything to her, I always leave her to ride her own races.
“Patrick couldn’t do the weight so was always going to ride Copacabana and connections were always happy to have Jody.
“I’m delighted for Jody. Tim Townend her father was here and of course Paul, her brother was.
“She’s been a surprise package, but is now unbeaten in three runs.”
