Historic day as Kelly rides to Kempton win

No woman had oreviously ridden a Grade One winner of a chase in Britain, but backers of the 9-4 chance never really had an anxious moment.

Kelly kept her mount, trained by stepfather Nick Williams, wide throughout, and bar being interfered with a couple of times when rivals were jumping out to their left, she stayed on strongly to defeat Southfield Royale.

Despite racing keenly, Tea For Two was able to quicken up when Noel Fehily tried to steal a march turning into the straight. For a few strides Kelly shook her mount up, but he responded impressively and ended up winning by four lengths, in a race formerly known as the Feltham Chase.

Kelly had nearly landed a Grade One in France when Aubusson was narrowly beaten by Thousand Stars in France and could have been forgiven for thinking her chance had gone.

On this display, however, there will be plenty more big days for Tea For Two and his proud jockey who said: “It’s awesome, I’m absolutely delighted and to do it on this horse is just fantastic. He’s always been something we were really proud of and today he has shown everyone what he’s worth.”