Girl power reigned supreme at Cheltenham as Happy Diva pirouetted her way to BetVictor Gold Cup glory for trainer Kerry Lee.
The tough-as-teak mare led her rivals a merry dance in the 160,000 contest under a mud-splattered Richard Patrick.
Rain and floods had threatened to stop play earlier in the week, but it was the biblical performance of Happy Diva that took Cheltenham by storm.
Sent off a 14-1 shot, the eight-year-old travelled oh-so sweetly throughout and had enough in the tank to outpoint Brelan DAs (16-1) in second.
Hot favourite Slate House (4-1) looked threatening but stumbled and fell at the second-last.
A grinning Lee said: What a fantastic achievement, what a fantastic filly she is.
Once too often the bridesmaid, shes always been a little bit frustrating.
She beat Magic Of Light last season who ran so well in the Grand National and the form has always been there if you look.
It was a brilliant ride by Richard Patrick. We had a gameplan – he said Ill try and get the rail and I said there are no ifs and buts about it!
Thats what he did and with a circuit to travel she was jumping and travelling well.
Its great to have all of the team here. The owners have been here since my father started and its fantastic.
I started to scream at one point as the end seemed so far but her class shone through.
Dashing grey Warthog (33-1) ran a fine race in third as Belami Des Pictons (10-1) finished with a flourish for fourth.
Siruh De Lac, fancied for the Williams clan, ran out of puff under the returning Lizzie Kelly.
Earlier on the card, Wholestone proved he stays three miles – just.
Nigel Twiston-Davies serial also-ran got his head in front in the novices chase to lay down his claims for the RSA Chase in March.
In the Grade 3 BetVictor Smartcards Handicap Chase, West Approachwas given a peach by Robbie Power to give punters a much-needed flip.
The tough stayer ground it out from hardy grey Achillein second.
