Tony Carroll raring to go as Brighton stages first fixture since October 2019

Few tracks evoke such strong feelings of loyalty among both local racegoers and the visiting holiday public than Brighton, and so the repoening of the course after a whole year in mothballs on account of Covid-19 will be a sign of real progress for many.

While the public will have to wait until next month before they can get their fix of the unique rollercoaster in person, trainer Tony Carroll has wasted little time in declaring seven horses for the opening evening fixture, five of whom have a Brighton win to their name.

Asked if he was pleased to be back at a course where he saddled more than twice as many winners as any other trainer in 2019 – 15 successes from 82 runners – Carroll said: "I certainly am. It's been a lucky place for us, we seem to have done okay, to be fair, and we had a good year last year irrespective of Brighton being closed. Everything went well for whatever reason, but it's great to see it back."

Perfect ten: Pour La Victoire (Hollie Doyle) claims his tenth victory at Brighton in September 2019Credit: Nigel Bowles

Heading the Carroll squad will be popular veteran Pour La Victoire (7.30), who at the age of 11 holds the record for the number of course successes.

His remarkable statistics read ten wins and ten placed efforts from 29 starts – one more victory than the late and much-missed Roy Rocket – stretching back to a first success in August 2013.

Carroll: "It's early in the season, but we'll hopefully support it well and have a bit of luck down there. Pour La Victoire has won on the all-weather this winter so he's in good form."

While the bookmakers are taking few chances with yard's septet, with course-and-distance winners Wiley Post (4.20) and De Vegas Kid (6.30) both trading at or near the head of their respective markets, Carroll is not prepared to single out one who he expects to go in.

Trainer Tony Carroll has enjoyed plenty of success at the Sussex trackCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"I think this year it probably looks more competitive than ever because of the situation," he said. "I thought the races looked quite tough, but we'll go down there in good form and give it a good go."

Another trainer with fair course form is Eve Johnson Houghton, who enjoyed a 23 per cent strike-rate with her runners at Brighton in 2019, and she sends Tin Hat (6.30) and Hedging (7.30) down to the Sussex coast.

For clerk of the course Philip Hide it has been a long wait since the last fixture in October 2019.

"At times you wondered if we'd ever get there," Hide said. "But the Arc management have always been clear that they wanted to get back to racing at Brighton, and they've given the track plenty of support."

Brighton clerk of the course Philip HideCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The difficulties of securing the entire track for behind-closed-doors racing means the first three meetings will be limited to contests of a mile or less, but Hide is already looking forward to welcoming the crowds back for when full service can be resumed, with the May 18 fixture falling the day after limited crowds are due to be allowed in England.

"We've got a big catchment audience here and it's just trying to get them enthused a bit more," said Hide. "We need to work out what's going to bring people in because it's very accessible, it's good fun and we've got plenty of evening meetings."

Brighton card and betting

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