A FAIRYTALE has come true as a racehorse bought as a 50th birthday gift Runcorn businessman Steve Preston romped home to victory this afternoon.

Sire De Grugy proved he is the king of the two mile chasers by thrashing his rivals in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Part-owner Ryan Preston: "I saw him coming through. He jumped into the lead and I exploded. I dropped my phone, my scarf was in the air and I was running around. What a winner. It's the ultimate fairytale."

Fifty relatives and friends of Runcorn businessman Steve Preston clubbed together to help him buy him the horse.

He now shares the ownership of the horse with a group of friends and family.

Sire De Grugy, under Jamie Moore, riding his first Cheltenham Festival winner, was welcomed to huge applause and cheers in the winners’ enclsure by Steve and his team of owners.