In-form Ian Mongan has declared: "My ambition is to be championship apprentice next year."

The Brighton jockey rode a double at Brighton on Wednesday and his total of 32 since turning professional places him fourth in the list of apprentice riders this term.

He said: "I couldn't have asked for a better first season as a jockey. My experience as an amateur stood me in good stead and I have a wideawake agent in Jeff Lawson who has been working in the entertainment business. I am the first jockey he has taken on."

In fact, Ian still leads the amateur's table on the all-weather tracks by dint of the four winners he rode before he turned professional in February. He may lose the lead by the end of the year since he is no longer qualified but that is no big deal for him.

Brighton trainer Gary Moore, who has nurtured Ian since his teens, is still his principal employer and has provided a large proportion of his 280 rides and 14 of his winners.

Moore said: "I was always sure he'd make it in the professional ranks. We will have a real go at the championship next year."

Ian is still part of the Ingleside Stables' domestic team, arriving at the yard at 5.30am to feed and muck out before riding out three lots at exercise.

Unlike many of his weighing room colleagues, he will stay in the UK this winter.

He said: "I may go abroad for the winter in 2001, but this time I will stay here and be ready to launch myself on that championship on New Year's Day."

Weight is no problem for Ian, he can do 8st 2lb. He needs three more winners for his first half-century when his allowance will be cut from 5lb to 3lb and that will not be long in arriving if he maintains his current form.

Meanwhile, Monday was a frustrating day for Moore who was at Epsom to saddle Wasp Ranger in the Moet Chandon Silver Magnum.

Ridden by Belgian Elie Hennau, who won the race on Flying Eagle for Gary last year, Wasp Ranger could finish only second to Rare Talent, ridden by Sussex-based Ben Hitchcott.

An hour-and-a-half later, My Emily was beaten half-a-length in the Daily Star Festival Stakes to complete a brace of seconds.

Jayne Moore was a Fontwell to supervise the stables' runners over obstacles and the first of them, Another Beveled, was also runner-up.

"Let's hope this can win," said Jayne as she went out to saddle North Of Cala in the last race. "Four seconds in one day would be just too much."

Under a well-judged ride from Philip Hide, North Of Cala made all the running to beat his solitary rival Goldbridge, trained by Lewes handler Tom McGovern. Luckily for Gary and Jayne things took a turn for the better when Sel scored at Brighton on Wednesday.