Amateur jockey Waley-Cohen wins Gold Cup

In a stunning win, amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen has taken the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival with his horse Long Run.

He beat three former champions, Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander, who were all in a line with half a mile left in the race. But Mr Waley-Cohen, who was 7-2 favourite to win, sneaked past to win the cup.

Mr Waley-Cohen said: "I want to say thank you to everyone for believing in me and the horse. This is beyond my wildest dreams. I didn't think we were going to get there, but he picked up, and I think he still had a bit left. When he got there he saw the crowd and he wanted to stop and have a look. What a horse he is."

The grandson of a baronet, Sir Bernard Waley-Cohen, Mr Waley-Cohen is the first amateur jockey in 30 years to win the Gold Cup. His father Robert was president of the United Synagogue.