Dream start as apprentice wins €100,000 race on his first ride under rules

Thursday: Leopardstown

Dylan Kidd enjoyed a dream start to his career when landing the €100,000 Nasrullah Premier Handicap on his first ride under rules to hand Jessica Harrington her fifth winner of the evening.

Kidd, 16, belied his total lack of race-riding experience with a daring dart up the inside rail as 20-1 shot Jungle Cove battled on gamely to score by three-quarters of a length from Casanova.

"It's incredible," Kidd said. "It just happened so easily. I got up the rail after having a nice position.

"I only graduated last Friday and found out I was riding him on Tuesday morning. I was delighted. Everything leads up to this moment – it's unreal. I've been doing ponies and horses all my life."

Dylan Kidd darts up the inner to win on Jungle CoveCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Kidd, who hails from Meath, has been tutored by two-time Grand National-winning rider Leighton Aspell.

"I've ridden this horse a few times at home," he added. "My instructions were to go out, enjoy it and see what happens from there. I owe a big thanks to Mrs Harrington and everyone in the yard. This is very special.

"You learn loads in Race [Racing Academy and Centre of Education] and I'm down with Leighton on Tuesdays and Thursdays doing work on the simulators. He's a big help to me."

The success was also a memorable one for Harrington, who registered a double to go with three winners on Limerick's Thursday evening card.

Harrington said: "Dylan gave him a great ride, full of confidence and stuck to the inside. He doesn't interfere with the horse. More senior jockeys get on him and kind of bully him, which he hates. It's a fantastic pot to win.

"It's brilliant for Dylan on his first ride – he'll be spoiled forever after this. He came to me from Race and has ridden out for me all winter and summer. He's a super worker."

Dairerin (3-1), Himalayan Beauty (15-2) and Aurora Princess (6-1) won for Harrington at Limerick, while Ha Ha Ha (11-4) and Jungle Cove (20-1) were on the mark at Leopardstown, with the five-timer paying 18,741-1.

Results, replays and analysis

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