Richard Quinn improved on his already impressive record at Brighton with a masterful ride on Quintoto in the Hardings Bar And Catering Handicap.

The Scot had the Terry Mills-trained gelding smartly into his stride at the course's first Flat meeting of the new season yesterday.

He settled him at the head of affairs at a steady pace but once in the straight the partnership set sail for home and the 8-1 shot soon had his rivals in trouble.

Quintoto had the race in safe keeping with two of the ten furlongs left to travel and storming clear scored in great style by five lengths from La Dolfina.

Quinn has now ridden 39 winners at Brighton over the last five years, Fran Ferris picked up a three-day ban (April 19, 21 and 22) for careless riding on fifth-placed Deewaar.

Eddie Ahern is another jockey who rides the seaside course particularly well and he demonstrated his talents when slipping through on the inside to land the Saltwell Signs Classified Stakes on Kristoffersen for Blewbury trainer Gerard Butler.

Punters had got off to a good start when the well-backed 4-5 favourite Micky Thin finished fast and late to claim the opening European Breeders Fund Rendezvous At The Marina Maiden Stakes for trainer Richard Hannon.