A DAY at the races proved to be an odds-on favourite for students in an initiative designed to improve mental maths and open up career prospects.

Pupils from Risedale Sports and Community College, Hipswell, were invited to Catterick Races by the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust.

Sixteen youngsters were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the sport of kings on a day where champion jump jockey Tony McCoy was racing.

Their tour included the weighing room, jockeys’ changing room and stables. They addressed issues such as the importance of healthy eating and body weight, anti-doping measures and electronic security chipping.

They also dealt with imperial and metric measurements, health and safety and how the jumps are constructed from silver birch.

A visit to the stewards’ room revealed the legal complexities of racing and they even got the chance to take to the course to run the last furlong.

And race winner Lough Derg Walk, trained by Donald McCain and ridden by Jason Maguire, was presented with its trophy by the students.

Teacher Samantha Wood said: “During the day students use an incredible amount of very fast mental maths in a subtle approach to learning.

“It also opens their eyes to the fact that Catterick Racecourse is so much more than Sunday markets, it’s a huge industry with some amazing careers prospects.”