TEENAGED jockey Adrian Heskin celebrated his first Festival winner in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Handicap Chase – on his first-ever ride at Cheltenham.

The County Cork rider, 17, got off the mark in spectacular fashion aboard veteran A New Story for trainer Michael Hourigan, denying L'Ami by two and half lengths.

Asked when he thought he would win, Heskin said: "After the line because he doesn't do a lot in front. I've been involved with horses all my life and my father has 10 or 12 brood mares at home.That's my first ride here and it feels magic."

A New Story had not won since November 2005, but Hourigan said he had never lost faith in the 12-year-old gelding.

"He's kept me in the limelight by being placed in races like the Irish National and he has taken his owners all around the world," he said.

"He was fourth in this race last year and third the year before, so it was always the plan to come back here again.

"He doesn't like being in front, but he's a character, a star.

"He's in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter on Saturday and he'll run if he's okay and Adrian will ride him.

"To win at Cheltenham is one of racing's gold medals and I've not been here since Deejaydee won the National Hunt Chase 11 years ago."

L'Ami's trainer Enda Bolger, who had won 13 of the previous cross-country races at Cheltenham, said the gelding did them proud and he just found one horse too good on the day