NO team quite mastered blending youth and experience at this year’s Cheltenham Festival like legendary horseman John Kiely and up-and-coming amateur rider John Gleeson, as the pair combined to record a spellbinding success with A Dream To Share in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Willie Mullins threw 10 darts at the board in the 21-runner Grade 1 event, but it was hugely popular 86-year-old Kiely who had the ace in the pack. The victory will live long in the memory as the Dungarvan, Co Waterford trainer’s first winner at the Cheltenham Festival.

It was also a breakthrough occasion for 18-year-old Leaving Certificate student Gleeson, who showed tremendous poise and coolness to come from well off the pace on his first Festival ride.

Bred by the rider’s father Brian and previously carrying the colours of his mother Claire, A Dream To Share became J.P. McManus’ 70th Cheltenham Festival winner in a race where Ireland’s champion owner also supplied the runner-up and 16/5 favourite Fact To File.

The margin of victory may have only been a length and a quarter, but the acceleration shown by the 7/2 winner indicated he is surely one of the most impressive Champion Bumper winners of the past decade.

“That just happened - I can’t believe it,” said Gleeson. “It all went so smoothly. It’s like a dream. I set out to keep it simple and felt on the outside there was slightly better ground. We decided to take our time. I can’t believe he did it in that manner.

“John Kiely has been so good to me. At his age, he just keeps me so cool and there was no pressure. I ride out this horse every day before going to school. He’s very special. I have to thank Mr McManus as well for letting me keep the ride and giving me the opportunity, I’m so grateful.”

Family connection

There were joyous scenes in the winner’s enclosure as what felt like half of Co Waterford revelled in the celebrations. For Kiely, it was the realisation of a lifelong dream.

“To win any race at Cheltenham is special, but to win the Champion Bumper at the Festival - and for J.P. - it couldn’t get any better,” said Kiely.

“It’s wonderful at this part of my life for this to happen. My brother [Peter] trained Shuil Ar Aghaidh to win the Stayers’ in 1993. I wasn’t here that day but it was a big thrill and we all worked together all the years. The family element to everything makes it so special. This horse always seemed to do things easily.”

On the winning rider, Kiely added: “John has been very capable all the way, he’s been with me for a few years. It gives me pleasure to help any juniors from when I started. We’ve had some good riders spend time with us and it’s lovely to see them keep progressing in their careers. John works hard and prepares well.”