By Will Lefebve

Trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis had an afternoon to remember at Brighton yesterday  when his two Lambourn raiders raced to a quickfire 20-1 double in the first two races on the card, and he confirmed it was his first two-timer at one of his favourite tracks.

James Park Woods, giving Cotswold-born teenage rider Taryn Langley a fourth career success, roared home clear of five rivals in the mile apprentice handicap, and 35 minutes later it was the turn of once-raced Mirabeau to enjoy an equally emphatic victory in the maiden two-year-old contest.

And the trainer made no secret of his high opinion of Finley Marsh’s mount, declaring: “We’ve always loved this horse. Oisin (Murphy) rode him work last week and told us the colt would take a lot beating. But unfortunately he couldn’t be here today. Mirabeau wants further (distance) in time.”

Moreton-in-Marsh visitor John Gallagher sent out his 52nd course winner when Secret Handsheikh “demolished” four rivals in the sprint handicap, and equine tonguetwister Cassandraalexandra gave apprentice Kaiya Fraser his 40th career win in the “nursery”.

Most exciting finish of the day came in the 12 furlongs handicap, with Innisfree Pearl (Trevor Whelan) holding on narrowly from Fen Tiger (Laura Coughlan) and last week’s course winner Fighting Poet (Billy Loughnane).

The horse racing world welcomed John Hunt back to its fold when the universally popular commentator paid his first visit to a course since he lost his wife and two daughters in July.

Scheduled commentator Simon Holt stepped aside to allow John to call the horses on the seven-race card, and the former policeman produced his customary polished performance on the microphone. Welcome back John!

Meanwhile, a great day for Sussex’s most westerly-based trainer Lydia Richards at Fontwell on Sunday, when the wily Funtington (Chichester) handler masterminded a 12-1 triumph for previously “formless” Miss Ireland in the concluding mares “bumper”.

Owner Victoria Markiowak’s home-bred five-year-old had been pulled up in her only two previous runs, both in West Country point-to-points.

But the patient “L & V” duo kept faith with their well-related daughter of Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats, and despite visibly tiring on the dash to the winning line, she was rousted by jockey Marc Goldstein to score by a commanding 7 & half lengths from odds-on favourite Borna Gem.

Shrewd Lydia had also landed this race 12 months ago with the progressive My Louise.