Welsh jockey Richard Patrick is celebrating a home success after winning the Dragonbet Welsh Champion Hurdle on board Nemean Lion at Ffos Las.

On a weekend when there was contrasting fortunes for Wales’ national rugby and football teams, Patrick tilted the balance in home nation favour on Sunday by winning the country’s biggest jump race after the Welsh Grand National.

Trained by Kerry Lee, Nemean Lion looked vulnerable to the challenge of Anyharminasking, but Nemean Lion galloped strongly on the run-in, whereas his rival lost ground by drifting over to the far rail.

Nemean Lion was Lee’s first runner since June.

He could now go for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham next week.

“I’m going to enjoy today first and then we’ll look at the options,” said Lee. “I think we’ll probably aim for the Greatwood. That has been the plan over the summer.

“He’s got to have cut in the ground. I won’t run him on anything better than good to soft.”

GYMNASTICS

Fresh from their recent World Championship performances in Antwerp, Welsh gymnasts Ruby Evans and Poppy-Grace Stickler were back in action over the weekend – and helped inspire Clwb Cymru Caerdydd to an historic British club triumph.

The Great Britain pair, along with teammates Mali Morgan, Evie Flage-Donovan and Ellie Lewis, were crowned Women’s Artistic British Team champions in Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday.

It is the first time since 1983 that a Welsh club has won the prestigious British women’s senior team title.

Clwb Cymru won with an overall score of 149.800, four marks ahead of Robin Hood Gymnastics (145.500) and Park Wrekin (137.750).

“These girls have worked together since they were eight and nine years old, so it meant a lot to them,” said head women’s national coach Tracey Skirton-Davies.

“I was thrilled that Poppy and Ruby chose to compete so soon after returning from the World Championships.”

CRICKET

Gwyn Richards, a key member of Glamorgan`s team that reached the final of the Gillette Cup in 1977, died suddenly at the weekend at the age of 71.

Richards played for Glamorgan from 1971 until 1979 and made more than 200 appearances for the county across first class and one-day matches.

A middle order batsman and off-spinner, he later became secretary of the Glamorgan Former Players Association.

Hugh Morris, Glamorgan chief executive said: “We are shocked and saddened by the news of Gwyn’s passing.

“He held a very special place in the history of Glamorgan County Cricket Club as he was in the team of 1977 that played in the club’s first-ever one-day final against Middlesex at Lord’s.

“A lovely man who was a talented batter and off-spinner.”