'It's amazing to get one for Mum' - a great day for the Nicholls family as daughter Olive lands maiden Ascot win for Georgie

A first winner at Ascot and a first winner for her mum meant Christmas really did come early for amateur rider Olive Nicholls, who made all the running on the aptly named Thank You Ma'am to land the 2m7½f handicap hurdle.

Mother and daughter run a hands-on training operation on the outskirts of Lambourn and as well as giving a first winner at the royal racecourse to the successful rider, Thank You Ma'am also provided a first training success at Ascot for winning trainer Georgie Nicholls.

"It's amazing, especially as that's my first winner for Mum," said the winning rider, scoring on her 27th ride under rules for Georgie and on only her third attempt at Ascot.

"I had a bit of a nightmare season last year. I was injured for the majority of it and after three falls in quick succession I struggled coming back. I lost confidence but it's great to get back on a roll and hopefully that will continue."

Olive Nicholls: enjoyed her first winner at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Of the winner, the 19-year-old daughter of 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls added: "He's growing in confidence all the time and I think he's going to be really exciting. I couldn't pull him up at the end and with every run he's getting bigger and stronger. Mum works so hard at home, so it's amazing to get one for her. She will be buzzing now."

The winning trainer was cock-a-hoop but deflected the plaudits to her daughter. "It's really special working together and we get on like a house on fire," she said. "Olive works unbelievably hard and so deserved it. There's a lot of great things that come with being Paul's daughter, but there's a huge amount of pressure as well.

"Luckily, she's considerably cooler than me, and she's making the most of the opportunities she's getting. She wants to train eventually but she loves the riding, and I've said for as long as you love it, you crack on."

Course specialist

Victtorino continued his love affair with the track after winning for the third time in the 3m Silver Cup Handicap Chase.

It was another big weekend winner for Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch, who have teamed up for success with Djelo and Royale Pagaille recently, and Victtorino was introduced at 50-1 for the Grand National with Paddy Power after his half-length victory over The Changing Man.

Williams said: "As soon as he jumped the first we both thought he was in business. His jumping was key and Charlie was quite keen not to put the gun to his head and disrupt it as he was in a nice rhythm. If that had fallen apart, then it all would have."

Boogie time

Jungle Boogie's career has been plagued with various "niggles" but not for the first time the Henry de Bromhead-trained ten-year-old showed his quality with a comfortable success in the 2m5f graduation chase.

His task was made easier when favourite Iroko was hampered and fell at the first, but from that point Darragh O'Keeffe assumed control on Jungle Boogie, who showed a tendency to jump left throughout but was, nevertheless, bold at his fences.

"He's very classy," said O'Keeffe, winning on his first ride at Ascot. "He likes bossing things and when I opened him up going to the second-last he really took off. He's very smart and has very little miles on the clock."

Grade 1 targets await the winner with a return to Ascot in the new year not ruled out by winning connections.

Assistant trainer Robbie Power added: "He's been very fragile with different niggles but he's got a big engine. He's entitled to take his chance at the top level and the Ascot Chase back here [on February 15] would be a possibility, but I do think he's a better horse going left-handed as well. The Ryanair Chase is another possibility but we'll keep our options open."

Quinn delight

Jockey Caoilin Quinn described Kotmask as a "survivor" after he won at the third time of asking this season in the 2m3f handicap chase.

Having finished third and second on his two previous outings at the track this season, the six-year-old got his head in front when pulling clear of Scarface.

Quinn, who followed up Friday’s Grade 2 success on stablemate Mark Of Gold, said: "He’s a survivor and he’ll always find a leg. I didn’t want to commit too soon on him, but he’s very tough when you ask him. He jumps brilliantly round here and if you can do that, then you can do it anywhere."

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