Day three of The Festival in 2026, St Patrick’s Thursday, concluded with a victory for Wales courtesy of the Cath Williams-trained Ask Brewster in the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.

The 22/1 chance ridden by Shane Cotter was in a share of the lead all the way, and proved a neck too good for Road To Home (9/1) on the line.

Successful trainer Cath Williams said: “That’s fantastic isn’t it. Very very loyal owners. I’m absolutely delighted. It’s been an emotional week, as you all know, but it is what it is and we deal with it.

"Yesterday we needed soft ground for Libberty Hunter and today we needed good ground for this horse, so when it rained this morning we thought ‘oh no’. But we knew they were both in great shape and we’ve come away with a first and a second. Delighted with both of them. What more could you ask.

“Ask Brewster stays, and we had a very good boy on board. I don’t know him, but I think Evan and Conor Ring spoke to a couple of the Irish lads and that’s who we got. There’s not many amateurs who can do the weight but we found one and, hey ho, it’s happened. He was very good wasn’t he.”

Successful jockey, 19-year-old Shane Cotter, said: “It was unbelievable. As a child watching it on the telly you can only dream of being here, of just having a ride, let alone a winner. I’m lost for words; I don’t know what to say. I can’t thank Evan Williams enough. All his team have produced the horse beautifully for today, and he jumped and travelled everywhere.

“I watched a few replays, and any time he was in front he seemed to love it and winged his fences. I jumped him out nice and handy and he ran away nearly to the first, and I knew it was his day then. He was very game when Patrick came to us.

“I’ve dreamt of this since I was seven or eight. I ride out for Denis Murphy six days a week and he’s very good to me. I’ve ridden 20-odd winners in point-to-points and I’ve only one winner on the track at home, so hopefully after this people might start using me. This is my very first ride in England - it’s unbelievable. All my family are here - everyone’s here!”

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