Moore the merrier at Brighton
Gary Moore made a triumphant return to his old haunt by pocketing the Tom Aldridge Is Never 70 Handicap at Brighton.
Moore, whose jump jockey son Jamie gets married this weekend, had his main yard just up the road from the course until he moved his operation to Horsham.
His runner Shianda was involved in a ding-dong battle with fellow 2-1 joint favourite Lady Of Garmoran but Neil Callan had the edge in the final 100 yards and came three-quarters of a length clear.
"It's such a busy time, I'm pleased to be able to get to the races!" laughed Moore.
"She ran well off this mark last time and I think there's improvement in her."
Paul Cole has been a feared name at the track for many years and the Whatcombe trainer struck in the Grace Of Brighton Maiden Handicap.
Sunrise Lyric (13-2), appearing in Cole's plain light green silks, had hit the crossbar a number of times without winning in her 12 previous starts, gained the benefit from a cunning Tadhg O'Shea ride.
O'Shea put his mount to sleep in the early stages but managed to sneak up the inside rail and Sunrise Lyric quickened smartly to record a three-length success.
Desperate Dan continued his remarkable record for Andy Haynes in the Tarpan Vodka Selling Stakes.
Stepping up slightly in trip to six furlongs, the even-money favourite had plenty in hand under Callan, despite only beating Timeteam by a neck.
"I think that's his 19th win, and his 16th for us in two and a half years," said Haynes.
"He's very hard to train, he won't go in the pre-parade ring and has refused to go down to the start three times.
"It depends if Dan's on a going day and fortunately he was."
It was a fine day for Callan as he rode his treble, and the second for Haynes, in the Brighton & Hove City Cabs Brighton Rocket Handicap.
This was another exciting sprint finish, with Callan extricating Piazza San Pietro (7-2) from trouble and managing to force him a head in front of the old warrior Dvinsky.
"He keeps defying what I think he is - that was a really good performance to carry 10st 3lb," said Haynes.
"He's so gutsy and has earned his right to go for a real decent handicap.
"He's a Saturday horse now."
