By Will Lefebve

Brighton punters could have chosen between horses called Stanley, Rory and Harvey in the four-runner maiden two-year-old race yesterday.

But they SHOULDN’T have looked beyond BILLY - Billy Garritty, the 25-year-old Yorkshire-born jockey paying his first visit to Brighton to partner evens favourite Acrisius to a cosy triumph over promising newcomer Rory Rocket.

The winner was veteran trainer Mick Easterby’s first winner at the course for five years, and now the homebred gelding has got his head in front, following four promising efforts, the style of Acrisius’s performance suggests he could have a bright future.

Mick, 93, opted out of the 550-mile round trip from his base at Sheriff Hutton near York, but Garritty enthused: “The second horse came alongside me just over a furlong out, but mine quickened away well. I ride him out every day at home and Acrisius could be a nice horse. So could the runner-up.”

In other races, Richard Hughes-trained Spring (100-30 fav) bounced off the turf to claim the nursery in the hands of emerging talent Finley Marsh, and Brighton’s top trainer Tony Carroll enjoyed (in his absence) his customary seaside success when assistant trainer Sarah Bowen powered home Pride of Nepal in the opening amateur jockeys’ handicap. That’s 79 winners for Mr Carroll in 2024!

The fourth race yesterday card was a real family affair. Former ace jump jockey Josh Moore, brother of Ryan, represented their Horsham-based trainer/father Gary to saddle OJ Lifestyle for a runaway victory in the mile handicap.

Keeping things close to home, successful rider Tom (“Frankel”) Queally was then interviewed in the winners’ circle for his post-race thoughts by his partner, Sky Sports Racing presenter Hayley Moore - Gary & Jayne’s daughter!

MONDAY’S SELECTIONS 1.50 Pure Liberty; 2.20 Letsbeatsepsis; 2.50 Marsh Benham; 3.20 Long Call; 3.50 Oh So Audacious; 4.20 NELSON ROSE (nap); 4.52 Skallywag Bay.