Amateur rider Conor Orr will always have fond memories of Ludlow races as he recorded his first win at the Prince of Wales Challenge Trophy, writes Graham Saveker.

Traditionally a well-contested event, ensured by a total prize fund of £16,000, Rio Milan made sure it was an honest test from the front, but Orr bided his time aboard 4-1 shot Firebird Flyer.

Firm OIrder did his best to challenge over the final fences, but Firebird Flyer was too strong and passed the post six lengths to the good.

Winning trainer Evan Williams said: “To be fair, the horse ran a good race to finish fourth in the Tommy White at Haydock last time, so he came here in good form.

“It’s great for Conor as it was his first winner and I thought it was a sensible ride."

The Vale of Glamorgan-based trainer went on to complete a double as jockey Lewis Gordon guided 9-2 chance Armchair Theatre to an impressive victory on his racecourse debut in the bumper.

Fellow Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis and jockey Paul Moloney also teamed up to claim two winners as Ballyhollow returned at odds of 5-2 to win the Ludlow Racecourse Bookmakers Mares’ Handicap Hurdle and Coriander confirmed favouritism at 9-4 in the Ludlow Maiden Hurdle.

There was controversy on the day as the stewards ruled that trainer Fergal O’Brien and jockey Sean Quinlan were found guilty of schooling in public after they inquired into the running of Iora Glas who finished fourth in the Ludlow For Functions Novices’ Hurdle.

The stewards report said Quinlan told them his instructions were to drop the gelding in, get him settled and ride him to win. He said that when he asked Iora Glas to close up at the end of the back straight he was checked for a few strides on the final bend.

O’Brien was fined £3,000 and Quinlan banned 14 days from racing.