The wife of Evan Williams secured her first Cheltenham Festival victory with only her second runner as a trainer when Ask Brewster claimed the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup on Thursday. Cath Williams took over the licence from husband Evan only on Tuesday, the day after her husband was convicted of assaulting a dog walker with a hockey stick by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court,

Williams was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after the court heard he had repeatedly struck Martin Dandridge, 72, after he was found on his land at Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan in December 2024. Mr Dandridge, from Swindon, Wiltshire, suffered injuries including a fractured arm.

Sentencing was adjourned until April 14 for reports and to give Williams time to put in place alternative arrangements for his racing business should he be jailed.

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Cath Williams' first runner was Libberty Hunter, who came second in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday, and 24 hours later, Ask Brewster went one better in the amateurs race under Shane Cotter.

She said: "I'm delighted, it's been an emotional week and it is what it is, we'll deal with it.

"I don't know the jockey but he was brilliant. I think Evan spoke to a couple of the Irish lads and so did Conor Ring and that is who we got.

"We were confident coming in to it and we knew he was in good order. We just needed the good ground from yesterday and we were worried when it rained this morning. Our runners have finished first and second this week, what more can you ask. The two runs from our horses have been huge."

Cotter was recording his first Festival triumph on the 22-1 shot who, having led for most of the race, demonstrated plenty of courage to hold off Road To Home in the final strides.

"To have a ride here is unbelievable but to have a winner, I'm lost for words," said Cotter. "I can't thank the Williams team for putting me on this horse today and they prepared him beautifully. He jumped and travelled everywhere.

"There was not really any moment of worry until I popped the last and could feel something coming to me. I heard Patrick (Mullins) coming to me but when he got to me my horse went again, he was very game.

"I've dreamt of this since I was seven or eight years old. I'm speechless."