SEMINGTON-based jockey Noel Fehily said winning the two feature races on the opening two days of the Cheltenham Festival was ‘very special’.

The 41-year-old, who has been living in the village near Trowbridge for the past two years, has been the toast of Prestbury Park after romping to victory in both Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother’s Champion Chase.

The Irish-born jockey got his week off to a fine start on the Nicky Henderson-trained 5-1 shot Buveur D’Air to win the feature race on Tuesday by four-and-a-half lengths.

However, it was on board Special Tiara in the Champion Chase on Wednesday that Fehily catapulted into the limelight as he defeated big pre-race favourite Douvan, who finished seventh, and held off the challenge of Fox Norton to win by a head.

“To win the Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase on the first two days is very special,” Fehily told the Wiltshire Times.

“Nicky always felt that Buveur D’Air had unfinished business over hurdles and the horse proved him right.

“Then, on Wednesday, I didn’t expect to beat Douvan. I’m a realist. He had all the form all going into the race.

“I thought that Special Tiara had a good chance of second, but he went the best I have ever seen him do. It was very special.

“It has been a fantastic first two days. Hopefully I can keep it going for the final days.”

Fehily, who is set to ride the favourite Unowhatimeanharry in the feature Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle race this afternoon, moved to Semington to be closer to his wife Natasha’s family two years ago.

“My wife Natasha’s family are from Southwick, so we moved here around two years ago,” the jockey said.

“It is a lovely part of the world and we are enjoying living here.”