Great days sport at Sandown

Captain Guy Disney had to settle for an honourable third on Ballyallia Man behind Cowards Close as he created history by becoming the first person to ride under Rules with a prosthetic leg in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown.

Disney, who trekked to the South Pole with the Walking With The Wounded team, came with a late rattle on Tom George's 10-year-old and but for getting in tight at the last would have finished even closer.

The 31-year-old was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade while on patrol in Helmand Province and had his leg amputated below the knee. He currently rides in point-to-points but can now add another first to his list of achievements.

The winner, trained by Paul Nicholls, was ridden by Lance Bombardier Jody Sole, winning the race for a second time after Gwanako in 2013.

Sole said: "I nearly came off at the Pond Fence, I'm not sure what really happened. Gwanako was a storming little horse, I rode him four times and it was a privilege to partner him.

"It's really nice that Paul supports these races, not a lot of guys ride week in and week out so for Paul to want to keep them on the card is great, they have a massive heritage.

"I'm trying to work with the military to get a few more of the jockeys a bit more riding out time. We need to keep the young soldiers involved to keep these races going."

Sole was full of praise for the efforts of Disney, who politely declined interviews after the race.

He told Racing UK: "Guy is a brilliant fellow, he rode in this race before his accident. Hats off to the BHA to let him get back race-riding. Ruby Walsh went up to him in the weighing room as he was interested about the stirrup he'd had made.

"I completely understand why he doesn't want the whole day about him. It's about racing and I think it's brilliant. Why can't we have more like him, there's nothing to say we can't."

Walsh made his only ride a winning one as Uranna ran out a ready winner of the Weatherbys GSB Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Sent off the 7-2 favourite on the back of a win at Limerick over Christmas, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was cruising throughout.

Walsh moved her into second place at the third-last and while the challengers stacked up behind, Uranna found plenty for pressure and pulled three and three-quarter lengths clear of Rons Dream, with Queen Of The Stage in third.

The win was a first over jumps in England for owners Supreme Racing Club, who tasted success at Royal Ascot with Pique Sous.

Walsh said: "She's stepped forward from her last run. I thought she'd win first time but she was third behind Kauto Grand Mogol, who isn't bad. She'd improved, she handles testing ground and there's a shortage of mares' hurdles in Ireland. There was one in Fairyhouse last week and we ran two in it and we kept this one for here, and it's paid off.

"She's obviously improved with every run so she's going in the right direction. We're fortunate to have a few good mares at home and I'd imagine she'll head to Fairyhouse at Easter, but that's second-guessing Willie Mullins, which can be dangerous."

Bidourey (1-3 favourite) remains a live outsider for the Triumph Hurdle after making all the running in the David Lindon & Co Novices' Hurdle under Tom Scudamore.

David Pipe has always maintained he would be a horse for next year but he stretched his winning run to five, including a debut win in France.

"I don't know what we learned today as the second-favourite hasn't run his race and it looked between them on paper," said Pipe.

"I've always told the owners he's a horse for next year and I said before the race he would have to win well to even think about Cheltenham. We'll have a chat but I've always thought he'd be a lovely chaser, that's what he was bought for."