'Stunning debut' for Robinson

An amateur jockey having her first hunt race ride takes the Melton Hunt Club Ride in great style

- LUCY ELDER

Melton Hunt Club Ride, sponsored by The George Bar, Parlour & Dining Room, and Belvoir Foxhunter Ride, sponsored by Belvoir Equine Veterinary and Dental Services, Highfield Farm, Leics

HUNT ride first-timers Immy Robinson and The Dellercheckout landed the Melton in style, sealing victory in a close-fought battle for the line on their stunning debut.

Their strong relationship has been forged on the point- to-point and hunter chase circuits over the past four seasons, but this was a totally new challenge for the pair.

"This is the first time I'd even considered doing this," said Shropshire-based Immy, a leading amateur jockey who works full-time in the charity sector. "I walked the course with my eyes closed, but he just took to it like a duck to water. He is my favourite horse in the world."

The 10-year-old Getaway son is a former Paul Nicholls chaser, who joined the Robinsons in 2019. Trained by Immy's mother Caroline, the first woman to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, the gelding won five times for the family before retiring in May this year. His heart was no longer in racing and palate issues meant that his body, too, could do with a change.

After a couple of successful team chases, friends convinced Immy that she should have a crack at the Melton.

"There was one hairy moment - I've been race-riding for 17 years and it was the best sit of my life. I'm not sure what happened, but I was hanging out the side-door thinking, 'Oh God, I'm a goner' and I managed to cling on," she said.