Milestone for de Souza as Moore strengthens position
The Brazilian rider took his tally to 19 winners for the year aboard Ralph Beckett’s filly, who was sent off at odds of 7-4.
Inflight was soon in contention and had the race sewn up along the straight - having four lengths to spare from 8-13 favourite Candyland.
De Souza said: “She really surprised me – when I pressed the button she just flew.”
Ryan Moore strengthened his position at the summit of the jockey’s championship with a classy double.
Moore got the ball rolling by steering his father’s gelding Prince Valentine to victory in the totequadpot Handicap.
Gary Moore’s 7-2 favourite was produced at the one-furlong pole and sped away to win by a length and a quarter from Diamond Dan.
“This is one of the few places he likes,” said the winning handler.
“He was getting beaten in Banded races at one time and now this will give him a great feel of confidence.
“He is in again on Saturday at Goodwood, but that might be a bit soon for him.”
Moore jnr was then seen to good effect aboard James Eustace’s Ariodante in the totesport.com Brighton Challenge Cup.
The four-year-old gelding showed real guts to repel the determined challenge of runner-up Transvestite and score by a neck.
Eustace said: “Mine has got no turn of foot but he does try.
“I am so sorry for Shane Kelly’s bad injury because he advised me to run Ariodante here after he had ridden him because it would suit him.
“He was right.”
Jockey Jim Crowley, who has swapped the jumping game for the Flat, bagged another winner on the level with Redcliff in the totecourse to course Maiden Auction Stakes.
Crowley had Amanda Perrett’s gelding in the right position to surge to the front inside the final furlong and beat Belvedere Vixen by a length and a half at odds of 16-1.
Crowley said: “The course is like a rollercoaster compared to Cheltenham. But it’s my local track now and of my 12 wins so far, a few have been here.”
Patrick Hills added to his brilliant start as an apprentice when getting Toffee Vodka home by five lengths in the tote Text Betting 60021 Fillies’ Handicap.
Hills displayed courage by manoeuvring his mount over to the far rails – which proved a decisive move as his partner justified favouritism at odds of 5-4.
Nicky Mackay was banned for one day (August 26) for careless riding aboard runner-up Tilsworth Charlie.
Middleham trainer Mark Johnston registered his 100th win of the season after Coalpark landed the one-mile Carling Fillies’ Handicap at Carlisle last night.
Johnston has now saddled a century of domestic winners for a 13th consecutive campaign.
Despite being driven along some way from home, Kevin Darley’s mount dug deep to fend off Westcourt Dream’s late surge and score by a length and a quarter at odds of 7-2.
Elsewhere, Ted Durcan was hit with a three-day suspension (August 26-28) for careless riding aboard third-placed Power Of Future in the Racing UK On Sky 432 Handicap at Nottingham.
