CALLOW End owner Jim Lewis was getting used to having a Gold Cup around the place this week after his horse, Best Mate, won in a nail-biting finish at Cheltenham.

The Aston Villa fanatic was on the way back down to earth following his 'dream' success with the seven- year-old bay at the Cheltenham Festival last Thursday.

Jockey Jim Culloty, who rode in Villa's claret and blue colours, netted the famous trophy for his first time and the lion's share of a £300,000 prize for Mr Lewis after eventually sweeping home by a length and three quarters.

"The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the Blue Riband event of the Cheltenham festival and it is everybody's dream to win a race like that," said Mr Lewis

"I often say I'm living a dream and one day I'll wake up. It's a great thrill."

He paid particular tribute to Best Mate's trainers Henrietta Knight and Terry Biddlecombe for their role in the victory.

"The key thing is to get the right horses and then you have to be lucky enough to find the right people," he explained.

"I happen to believe we've got the best in Henrietta and Terry."

Best Mate wasn't the only bright spot in Mr Lewis's Cheltenham week - he also scored a fourth with the horse's stablemate Edredon Bleu in the Champion Chase.