Kieren Fallon had a smile on his face after guiding Meadaaf to victory in the Brighton & Hove Albion Classified stakes as Brighton Racecourse kicked off its season on Sunday.

The champion jockey has been subject to a Jocky Club investigation following revelations of a tipping scandal exposed in the News Of The World.

But Fallon's cloud lifted as he warmed up for next weekend's Guineas with a half a length success on 7-1 shot Meadaaf in front of 5,000 spectators on Albion race day.

He said: "The reason why I'm here in Brighton and in the Guineas next week is that I am trying to put all those recent problems behind me.

"I wanted to concentrate on picking up a win to help my season get going and get another championship in the bank.

"There's only one place to be - the winners' enclosure. I was hoping Meadaaf would get me there today.

"I had to keep my head down as the course is all downhill like many others in the country.

"I don't come here very often but it's like anywhere else if you are on the best horse and win, it's great.

"The fact that fields are usually small at Brighton - there were eight in my winning race - helps and Brighton is a lovely area and a good place to be, particularly with a big crowd."

Fallon believes the course is helpful to the punters.

He said: "It's great for them because it is a very fair track so you don't see any hard luck stories. The best horse usually wins."

Although Fallon enjoyed Albion Raceday he admitted football was not his number one sport.

He said: "I'm not really a big football fan. Where I come from in the West of Ireland the big sport is hurling and I love it.

"It's a very skilful game and I've got a team I follow which is doing very well at the moment."

Ryan Moore, jockey son of Brighton trainer Gary, scored a win double on Flying Faisal at 11-4 and Taruskin, 4-11 odds on favourite.

But it was Fallon's winner that most pleased Albion manager Mark McGhee who brought along his entire first team squad. Seagulls stars of yesteryear, going back to the Thirties, were also present.

McGhee said: "I put some money on Meadaaf to win - I'm delighted. It's been a great day for the club and all the racing fans who were here."

Goalkeeper Ben Roberts was guest tipster.

He said: "I did pretty well - I tipped four winners."

Albion chairman Dick Knight revealed plans to make the Albion Race Day an annual event to start the racecourse's flat season.

He said: "I just had a chat with racecourse manager Phil Bell and we think it is a great community event. That will be good for Albion and racing."