AT first glance, the Form Book entry for Smart Ruler's third-place finish in last year's Banks Lyon Jewellers Lady Riders’ Handicap Hurdle at Cartmel might not suggest anything noteworthy.

“In rear, pushed along fifth, stayed on before last, went third close home, no impression.”

But closer inspection reveals why it represented a significant milestone for one person – Barrow conditional jockey Charlotte Jones.

Sunday marked a year since the 21-year-old took the reins of Smart Ruler for what was her first ride under rules, and she will be back to contest the renewal of that race tomorrow, on board Lough Kent.

Jones remains a relative novice, with just nine rides under her belt, but the advice and support of 1998 Queen Mother Champion Chase-winning jockey Brian Harding and Cartmel trainer James Moffatt – to whom she is apprenticed – have helped her make rapid strides.

“I've learnt absolutely loads,” said Jones, reflecting on her first 12 months of racing. “It's crazy how fast the time has gone and how much you can learn.

“I've got Brian Harding, who is a very good horseman, as my coach and I try to get to him in Penrith once a week, and I couldn't ask for a better coach.

“He's been really good to me, so I've learnt a lot from him and a lot from Jimmy as well, who has always prepared me for my races and helped me as much as he can.

“It's a big learning curve, and it's like an open encyclopaedia and I'm still on the first page.”

Although she has been riding since the age of six at pony clubs and riding schools, it was only in the past three years that Jones began to pursue the possibility of a career in racing while working towards a degree in equine studies at Myerscough.

Helping out one of her tutors at Cartmel on racedays led to a work experience placement with Moffatt, which transitioned into a full-time position at Pit Farm Stables and taking out her racing license.

Despite being something of a latecomer to the sport, Jones has quickly settled into the demands of the job, along with gleaning experience from the likes of champion jump jockey Richard Johnson, Brian Hughes and Henry Brooke in the weighing room.

Riding out Moffatt's inmates each morning has helped hone her skills in the saddle, and she is excited about the prospect of a possible tilt at the champion conditional jockey title in the 2018/19 National Hunt season.

“We ride at least four times every morning, so when you're doing that every single day for about two years you pick it up quickly,” said Jones, who is starting the process of seeking a sponsor as well.

“I'm quite a fast learner if I'm doing it regularly, so hopefully I've managed to pick up all right this way. I don't really like to stop and think.

“I just want to keep riding and getting experience. We've talked about maybe having a go at being champion conditional, but I'm not sure whether that will be next season or the one after – we'll see how it goes.”

Tomorrow's race sees Jones renew her burgeoning partnership with Lough Kent, having had five of her nine rides on board the eight-year-old.

They include wins in her last two outings – the first of her maiden victory, on day three of Cartmel's May meeting – and Jones is delighted to get another chance to race with a horse she has begun to get to grips with.

“I can't thank Jimmy and the owners of Lough Kent enough,” said Jones. “They've all been really good to me in giving me the opportunity because I've ridden the horse five times now.

“They've been persistent with me and now it's paid off now because I've started to gel with the horse. I can't thank them enough for the opportunity because I wouldn't be on as many rides.

“Hopefully we can just do the same again. He has gone up in the weights a little bit, so we have got that challenge, but hopefully he can go through again and finish with his head in front.”