Police appeal for help in finding burglar who ran off with Cheltenham Gold Cup

The trophy from one of the most famous events in horse racing was taken from Wormington, Gloucestershire, yesterday morning.

The cup was won by Charter Party and was taken from owner Raymond Mould's house.

A Challenge Cup trophy and a Britannia Handicap Cup trophy were also stolen in the burglary which included items worth 150,000.

Charter Party was trained by the late David Nicholson and ridden to Gold Cup success by Dunwoody.

Sent off at 10-1, the gelding beat Cavvies Clown by six lengths in the colours of Claire Smith and Mr Mould's late wife, Jenny.

A new trophy for the winner of the Gold Cup is cast every year.

Dunwoody said the theft was a "big blow" and added: "The Gold Cup is the pinnacle of our sport. It is arguably the most prestigious race in our sport.

"It doesn't personally affect me but I am disappointed and it must be a huge disappointment to Raymond to have lost these trophies.

"Hopefully they will be able to recover them.

"It's a big blow really. It was one of the highlights of my career winning the Gold Cup. It was a great day."

He added: "I would imagine Raymond had some pretty prestigious trophies. He has owned the winners of some of the biggest races."

The haul also included bronze ornaments in the shape of a hare, a spaniel with a pheasant in its mouth and two horses being ridden by jockeys.

A dark wooden clock with gold sides and a gold mechanism, two silver trophies, a silver fisherman ornament and a cigarette case were other items taken.

Gloucestershire Police said they wanted to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area overnight.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, who won the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Imperial Commander, said: "I'm afraid it is Charter Party's Gold Cup that has been stolen.

"I've been sitting with him at lunch today. They've broken into his house and stolen it. What happens is they make a new one every year and the owners get to keep that."

Anyone with any information about the burglary is asked to contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 38 of July 14 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.