Punters raise a glass to horse Back On The Lash after amazing win at Cheltenham races

Martin Keighley and the team were celebrating after the well-backed 13/2 shot won the Steel Plate And Sections Handicap Hurdle on Festival Trials Day

Racehorse Back On The Lash was the toast of punters as the well-supported local raider won Cheltenham's final race.

Cheers rang out among the crowd at the end of Dry January as he bounded away from the opposition in the Steel Plate And Sections Handicap Hurdle.

Backed in from double figure prices overnight, the six-year-old won by three and a quarter lengths in Mark Boothright's colours, that have been in the Cheltenham winners' enclosure with the likes of Champion Court and Creepy.

Martin Keighley also trained the duo at his Gloucestershire base and was thrilled to reach a career milestone at the track's last meeting before The Festival.

"That's our 20th Cheltenham winner," he said.

"We didn't have one last year so it's good to get this one.

"I always thought Back On The Lash had a bright future.

"He's so tough and genuine. As you saw today he wants to win."

The son of Malinas, fifth in a handicap hurdle at The Showcase meeting last October, returned at odds of 13/2.

Back in Condicote, near Stow-on-the-Wold, Keighley trains the full sister Caz on the Razz.

"He (Boothright) missed out on that one," smiled Keighley.

"The new owners wanted a name something similar to Back On The Lash so that's what they went with!

"Our season has been a bit quiet so it's great to get this winner."

The rider of Keighley's last winner at the Home of Jump Racing, Harry Stock, was among a delighted group clapping Back On The Lash into the famed winners' enclosure.

He silenced punters on 33/1 outsider Bobble Emerald in October 2017.