Proud day for the Walsh family, with a bit of help from Murphy

The ninth Cheltenham victory for the North Yorkshire trainer, it was a one-two for female riders in the Amateur Contest as Walsh beat Nina Carberry on Becauseicouldntsee.

Indeed, the large Irish contingent in the Cheltenham crowd did not know who to cheer as the two great riders battled it out to the line.

But, in the English Irish standing at the Festival, Poker de Sivola, who only recorded his first win at Catterick last month, can count for the home team.

The first person to congratulate the winning rider, and Murphy was Ruby Walsh.

"I'm delighted for you", he told the overjoyed trainer, even though he knew that he would be riding against Murphy's stable star Kalahari King two hours later in the Champion Chase.

However, his sister was close to tears as she received a standing ovation for a brilliant ride coming from close to last on the second circuit to land this prestigious prize.

"Winning at Cheltenham is something that everyone wants to do and I am fortunate that it's my turn this year," she said. "I'm lost for words. I don't want to sound soft but this is definitely the best day of my life.

"My father is the person I go to whenever I need something. I know how much this means to him but it means very much to me as well.

"I couldn't believe it, turning in, that my great friend Nina was coming – I thought 'Jesus, of all people, not Nina!' But I took my head down and it's just lucky that it paid off."

Murphy, this week's Yorkshire Post tipster highlighted the 14-1 chance in his column yesterday.

"I go a long way back with the Walsh family and Ruby and Katie's grandfather, who was also called Ruby, was like a father figure to me. He was a very shrewd man that you always listened to. I am so delighted for the family," he said. "Nina rode this horse last year but unfortunately for her she was already booked for BecauseIcouldntsee and I was delighted to get Katie.

"With a circuit to go, she switched to the inside and got a few fantastic leaps out of him. I thought they'd got to the front too soon but not at all.

"I have entered him in the Irish National, but I think he's probably more likely to go to the Scottish National."

The seven-year-old is owned by David Johnson whose blue and green colours were carried to victory in the 2008 Grand National by Comply or Die.

There was a postscript to the race. Walsh was banned for four days for using her whip with excessive frequency, yet this could not remove the smile from her father's face.

Walsh senior, an amateur rider in his day, trainer and TV pundit, couldn't have been happier.

"I thought at the second last that second was as good as Katie was going to be," he told the Yorkshire Post. "What a great ride Katie got off him. This is a great day for me, her mum Helen, Katie and all of us and we are also delighted that the Walsh family are on the same side as the Murphys in a big race.

"We are a great family team, it does not matter if it is Ruby riding his 26th or Katie riding her first, a winner is a winner as far as we are concerned."

Ruby is now just 1-3 with William Hill to take the title of Cheltenham Festival top jockey after tightening his grip throughout yesterday.

Now the most successful rider at the meeting in history, he made it two triumphs this week aboard Sanctuaire in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle. He also has plenty more to look forward to today and tomorrow.

Walsh's victory on 4-1 favourite Sanctuaire took him beyond Pat Taaffe's record of 25 Festival winners.

WHO WON WHAT

1.30 Poker De Sivola (14-1). A fine winner for Yorkshire trainer Ferdy Murphy, ridden by Ruby Walsh's sister Katie.

2.05 Peddlers Cross (7-1). Victorious after a thrilling tussle with Reve De Sivola.

2.40 Weapon's Amnesty (10-1). Winning jockey was Davey Russell, formerly a stable jockey with Murphy.

3.20 Big Zeb (10-1).

Back to his best after a chequered career.

4.00 Spirit River (14-1). Another Festival winner for top trainer Nicky Henderson.

4.40 Sanctuaire (4-1fav). Ruby Walsh wins to take his Festival tally to 26, the most in Cheltenham history.

5.15 Cue Card (40-1). Victory for Tizzard's. Father trained it and son rode it.