The doctor made a visit to Nautical Star and the colt responded to treatment to win the amateur Derby at Epsom yesterday. The Moet & Chandon Silver Magnum, run over the same course and distance as the Derby, is the most prestigious Flat race for the so-called Corinthians.

The contest attracts the best riders from across Europe, including Patrick Pailhes, a 36-year-old doctor from Pau. Nautical Star's trainer John Hills engaged the jockey on the strength of a riders' factfile distributed in the run-up to the race.

Opera Buff and Jim Crowley threw down a challenge through the final two furlongs but could never master Nautical Star and the Frenchman, who held on to win by three-quarters of a length at 14 to 1, with a further three to top-weight Kewarra.