Group 1-winning rider Colin Keane, who has been champion flat jockey in Ireland on six occasions, made a successful first visit to Cheltenham when partnering The Mourne Rambler (15/2) to victory in the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old said: “It was something different, but very enjoyable all the same! When you’re riding a nice horse it’s a big help. I got to sit on him at home once and he felt like a good horse - like a horse who could win on the flat if you wanted him to.

“I tried to follow the right lads - I felt we were going plenty quick enough, but coming down the hill got into rhythm and it all worked out from there.

“It’s a very special atmosphere here. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some good days, but this is kind of a bucket-list thing to tick off, to ride here, let alone to ride a winner.

“It was like the first two furlongs of a one-mile handicap around Galway! [comparing the rough and tumble of riding in a bumper to a flat race]. Without stalls!

“Turning for home I thought, if we got a bit of room [we could win] - the one thing he was going to do was stay, a nd he had a bit of pace. I though he’d be in the three then.

“The crowds are a different level to what we’re used to. I know Ascot would be busy, but this is some atmosphere here. It was brilliant.

“When Noel rang me two weeks ago, it was an easy ‘Yes’ if I could get the licence sorted. I probably didn’t think enough of it, but it worked out well.

“I was stuck in Dubai for a few days, and it was just not knowing when you were getting home that was the most difficult part. The first few days were rough enough but then you got used to it and knew were to be - it’s just that flights were getting cancelled, not getting on flights, but thankfully we all got home together and in one piece.

“I was fortunate enough to propose to my long-term girlfriend [Kerri Lyons] on Sunday - thankfully she said yes!”

Winning trainer Noel Meade added: “He’s a good horse I think but we’d never really tried him before. That’s the first time really. I know at Leopardstown he was pushed a bit but we’ve never pushed him at home.

“People were slagging me for booking Colin and saying that those flat jockeys will get killed in this race, but I told them this is no flat jockey, he’s different class. They won’t frighten this champion.

“It’s marvellous to be back here. We’ve only got about 15 jumpers - about a third of what we used to have - but we’ve got about 45 flat horses. It’s just great.

“I know this family and everything that’s been bred has been good. This fellow is the best of them and I thought he’d handle the ground because he’s light. I’d say he’ll stay at two miles because he has plenty of speed. His jumping needs a bit of ironing out, but we can work on that now.”