'I haven't stopped watching it' - Williams on Cheltenham win
Lorcan Williams had to make a decision between horse racing and rugby when he was a teenager.
After winning the Champion Hurdle on Golden Ace, he's convinced he made the right call.
"It hasn't sunk in, I feel very lucky, it's hard to put into words, it's one of those things you don't think will ever happen," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"I haven't stopped watching it, I just leave it on pause on TV and watch it over and over."
Golden Ace, who capitalised on the falls of previous victors Constitution Hill and State Man, wasn't originally planned to go for the Champion Hurdle.
"We were waiting to see if Lossiemouth would go for the Mares or Champion Hurdle," he explained.
"She's obviously a very talented horse, so we were leaning towards the Mares with the level of competition in the Champion Hurdle.
"The owner, Ian Gosden, decided we'd go for the Champion Hurdle because there's some good prize money if we finish in the places, so of course me and Jeremy [Scott, trainer] were happy to be on board."
Golden Ace started as a 25-1 outsider with Constitution Hill leading the market.
"The early stages of the race I was very happy, when I turned in for home I thought she was running a cracker, even when State Man came down at the last, I never thought it was over, it's a long way to the line when you're left out front on your own," he added.
"I couldn't believe it when I crossed the line, I was hoping that both horses and jockeys that fell were alright, it was just such an incredible feeling."
Golden Ace's win secured a £255,000 prize for the team, whilst Lossiemouth cruised to victory to retain her Mares' Hurdle and secured a third triumph at the festival.
Golden Ace's trainer Jeremy Scott has indicated the seven-year-old will now head to the Punchestown festival.
"I'm revved for that, it'll be a nice potential rematch with Constitution Hill and State Man, I haven't ridden at Punchestown since I was 17 so I can't wait to back," he added.
Williams was a keen rugby player as a youngster and played at county level before being picked up by Scarlets.
But he was given an ultimatum by his parents before making the tough call to pursue a career in horse racing over rugby.
"I loved playing rugby, I took a year out from riding when I was younger and played a lot of rugby, I got picked to play for my county and then the Scarlets," he explained.
"I was a full-back and flanker, I was just happy being on the pitch.
"I was riding before I could walk, I had horses and ponies all my life, it was always my passion, I loved the adrenaline of speed and the daredevil side of being a jockey.
"My mother and father sat me down and said 'what do you want to do?'.
"I had to decide, when I had my first ride as an amateur and I was just hooked on the racing from then.
"I still love watching the rugby, me and some mates went to France a few years back. I watch every game, even when I'm riding on the weekends, I'll be watching the games in the weighing room.
"Next year I want to give it a right good go, I've probably been coasting a bit, this win has given me a kick up the backside to push myself more than ever, I'm going to give it a real good go."
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