One legged Guy Disney wins Royal Artillery Gold Cup

Captain Guy Disney, who rides with a prosthetic leg, defied odds by urging Ratlin Rose to a secure Royal Artillery Gold Cup success at Sandown Park.

Disney, 34, lost his right leg, knee downwards, when touring for the Light Dragoons in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

His vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, July 2009.

As a former keen amateur rider, Disney did not let this shocking episode deter him from pursuing another challenge.

Becoming the first amputee to gain a license under Rules, this particular Royal Artillery Cup, is restricted only to personnel from the Armed Forces. Disney finished third in the same event, two years ago on Ballyallia Man.

Winning on Ratlin Rose, satisfied Disney's ambition, full-scale. Holding back tears, he said afterwards: "It is just too special. People have looked after me crazily since the injury. Plenty don't make it back from Afghanistan. Returning almost as a whole piece for trainer, David Pipe, is nothing less than blessed." Don't forget it is a jumping competition, which completes the picture of Triple Wow.

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Different but painfully similar, Bryan Cooper, 24, returned to racing following six month's off, from a collapsed lung, broken arm, and, fractured pelvis. Previously, Cooper had severed other limbs, but shrugs it away as part of the game.

Outsiders can never understand the intoxication of thoroughbred commitments, but Cooper already notched 100 winners last season alone.

His thoughts are now honing strictly on the March 14 Cheltenham Festival, and, Aintree Grand National during Easter.