'Molly is a star and rode a brilliant race' - landmark first win for amateur

Wednesday: Wincanton

It was firsts all around in Somerset where Molly Landau rode her first winner in the opening handicap hurdle for amateur jockeys in which Paul Nicholls's daughter Olive acquitted herself well on her first ride under rules when finishing third.

Nicholls junior, who has already ridden a number of point-to-point winners this season, looked like making a dream start to her rules career when at the head of affairs turning for home on Get The Appeal in the 2m5½f contest but was run out of it approaching the last by Landau on The Raven's Return.

Riding for her long time mentor Chris Gordon, 17-year-old Landau was scoring on just her third ride over jumps, having also had one ride on the Flat.

Laudau, whose jockey father Guy was placed in the Grand National in 1987, first started riding out as nine-year-old for Gordon but now works for Will Biddick.

Winning jockey Landau told Racing TV: "It's nice to finally get my first winner on the board as it's taken a few spins including pointing. I came here confident but also full of dread as he was far too keen last time for me at Carlisle which is why I dropped him out last today."

Gordon said: "Molly is a star and has been coming to ours to ride out nearly all her life. She rode a brilliant race and hopefully she can build on this."

Olive Nicholls: the daughter of the champion trainer finished third on her first ride under rulesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Pipe dream

David Pipe and owner Judith Wilson enjoyed a rare 1-2 together in the 2m4f handicap chase headed by the Philip Armson-ridden Red Happy.

The well backed 13-2 chance was well on top in the straight to see off the attentions of stablemate Abaya Du Mathan.

Results, replays and analysis

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