Billy Loughnane has championship century in his sights after winning on Mini Mac

Billy Loughnane is eager to tick off another landmark this season after he enhanced George Boughey's excellent record at the track on Mini Mac in the mile novice.

The two-year-old's neck success took Boughey's strike-rate at Brighton to 28 per cent this year, while he also provided Loughnane with a 139th winner of 2024. It was the jockey's 96th winner during the Flat jockeys' championship and he wants to bring up the century before it concludes at Ascot on Saturday.

Loughnane told Sky Sports Racing: "It's been another great season and I need those four winners. I want those before Saturday and I'm going to be pushing for that.

"Unfortunately I couldn't get into the top three in the championship, but I'll be trying for that next year. Since I was a baby I've dreamed of being number one."

On the winner, he added: "He loves the soft ground but hated the track. Had it been a more conventional course he'd have won it more cosily."

Course specialist

Otago's love affair with the track continued when he landed the 7f handicap for the second year in a row.

The Jim Boyle-trained seven-year-old beat River Wharfe by two and a quarter lengths to notch a fifth course-and-distance win. 

Cat pounces

Chourmo was denied becoming the track's joint-winningmost horse this year by Cresta Cat's 66-1 shock victory in the 1m2f handicap.

Her short-head win ended a 35-day drought for jockey Tom Queally.

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