Stock Photo - Former Love Island finalist and reality TV star Chris Hughes finished fifth (5) on his debut as a jockey in a charity race at York Racecourse. Hughes, who is Coral’s #LoveRacing ambassador, rode five year old Carnageo over the 5.40 Best Western Hotels & Macmillan Ride of their Lives charity race, riding for a mile and a furlong. LOVE ISLAND’S CHRIS HUGHES 3-1 FAVOURITE TO WIN HORSE RACE The former Love Island star is well-known as a horse-racing fan and has swapped the suntan lotion for the saddle, having trained intensely for the last five months in partnership with Coral, the bookmakers. The bookies have him down as the 3-1 favourite to win. The reality TV star will be making his jockey debut at York Racecourse at 5.40pm on Saturday (16th June), for the mile and one furlong Best Western Hotels & Macmillan Ride of their Lives charity race, where he will be riding five year old Carnageo, trained by Richard Fahey. Any profits will be donated to charity. The 25 year old has had to train intensely over the last five months for the race, and will be competing against 11 others. He has been under the tutelage of legendary trainer Jonjo O’Neill and has undertaken months of intensive training at Jackdaws Castle, as well as facing rigorous assessments to ensure he is race-ready. Speaking ahead of his big day Chris Hughes says: “I grew up riding with my friends in Cheltenham but stopped riding ten years ago. When Coral approached me with the opportunity to train and ride in the Best Western Hotels & Macmillan Ride of their Lives race, I jumped at the chance. I will be raising funds for an amazing charity. It’s been a hugely challenging, yet unbelievably exciting five months. I have worked hard with Jonjo O’Neill, Dominic Elsworth and the team at Jackdaws Castle and can’t thank them enough. I’m also indebted to Richard Fahey and his generous owners for providing me with the horse. The experience has been fantastic but there’s still a way to go and I’m really looking forward to competing and raising more money.” Coral PR Director Simon Clare says: “We’re delighted that Chris has got this far; he’s been working extremely hard and has been doing much to raise awareness and funds for Macmillan Cancer. He looks in great shape for his debut on Saturday. When we initially approached Chris with this opportunity he jumped at the chance, but he is not content with just taking part, he is absolutely determined to win, and with the help of the brilliant Jonjo O’Neill and his team, I wouldn’t bet against him.” Chris’s training videos are here:http://news.coral.co.uk/loveracing Chris is taking part in charity race the ‘Ride of their Lives’ to raise vital money for Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chrishughes-loveracing Featuring: Chris Hughes (L) Where: Birmingham, United Kingdom When: 16 Jun 2018 Credit: WENN.com