Teenage jockey Freddie Gingell warmed the hearts of racegoers by riding his first career winner under rules.
Two years ago the 16-year-old lost his mother Kim to cancer, at a time she was supporting his dream to become a jockey.
In her memory Gingell, whose grandfather is Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Colin Tizzard, kept putting in the hard work.
He made his point-to-point debut just a month ago at Larkhill and was quickly on the scoresheet riding Buckfastleigh winner Molineaux on January 16.
At Wincanton, a local track for the Tizzard and Gingell families, the sportsman put in a polished performance on West Approach.
The 6-4 shot defeated sole rival Alcala by 21 lengths in the Colin Lewis Memorial Open Hunters' Chase.
"Everything went to plan, I'd like to have sat in behind (the other rival) a little bit more but he was so keen," Gingell told Racing TV.
"He (West Approach) was amazing. He's a wonderful horse to be sat on, he jumps for fun.
"I ride him twice a week so I know the horse in and out, but Joe (Tizzard) left grandad with the instructions and he left it all to me.
"I thought the horse had just done three miles and might not have much left in him, but I asked for a big one and he came straight up again. It was amazing.
"This means so much, I lost mum two years ago and she's up there looking down. She'll be up there crying as well, probably."
Colin Tizzard said: "To win on West Approach, he could have won half a dozen more races (as a younger horse) and didn't.
"To see him so bonny out there today – Fred can see the stride, the horse can see the stride. There's no complications is there."
Gingell learned his trade with more than 50 winners pony racing, following his uncle Joe Tizzard into the saddle.
The young rider has previously spoken to The Jockey Club about how his mum, who died aged 43 in May 2020, inspired him to succeed in the industry.
“I just want to try get as many rides as I can and get a few under rules as well then maybe next season get my conditional licence," he said.
“Behind it all, I want to do well for mum as she wanted me to go out there and do the best I can.
“Dad and I have coped but we were lucky we had the farm to help take our mind off things. There isn’t a day go by though where I don’t think about mum.
“Unfortunately I don’t think under the current rules and regulations that I will be able to ride in the hunter chase at the Cheltenham Festival but hopefully I will get to ride at Hunter Chase evening in April.
“I’ve ridden at Cheltenham in a pony race but to jump the fences there would be really special.”
West Approach is around 20-1 with bookmakers for the St James's Place Hunters' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
