Beginner's luck: amateur rider Nell McCann off the mark at the first attempt

The plan was to merely stay on board but Nell McCann achieved so much more on her first ever ride as she partnered Social Butterfly to a convincing win in the 6f handicap for amateurs.

In a contest open to riders with no more than three winners to their name, McCann was the least experienced in the field but kept calm and balanced to prevail by half a length aboard the Mick Channon-trained 10-1 shot.

“She took me through the whole race by herself,” said the beaming 20-year-old. “It was absolutely brilliant. She travelled so perfectly and picked up exactly when I asked.”