Michael Hills celebrated his return to race-riding with a 17-2 double at Newmarket today. The jockey had been out of action since last Wednesday's Ascot Stakes when his mount Prairie Falcon slipped and fell, causing the pile-up which has put champion jockey Kieren Fallon out of action.
Hills made an immediate winning start, partnering the James Fanshawe-trained Lullaby to victory in the Lark Claiming Stakes.
The 10-3 chance defeated Finery by a length and three-quarters. Hills injured his right arm and leg in the Ascot incident and they are still troubling the jockey even now.
'I'm still quite sore but it got to the stage where I had to ride with it.
'Otherwise if I didn't ride I would have to battle to get fit.
'Sleeping is still very bad for me but I'm lucky not to have broken anything.'
Hills then followed up aboard 6-5 favourite Enthused for Sir Michael Stoute in the European Breeders Fund Maiden Fillies' Stakes.
The jockey had to work slightly harder on this occasion, lifting the daughter of Seeking The Gold to a short-head verdict over Ashlinn.
May King Mayhem is set to try and win his fifth race on the trot at Epsom next Wednesday after landing the H & K Commissions (Bookmakers) Handicap.
Paul Quinn's mount justified even-money favouritism by a neck from Just Gifted in the £7,000-added contest.
A delighted winning trainer said: 'He started off the season in a 0-60 rated contest from a mark of 34 and now he's won a 0-80.
'He's got lots of entries but he'll probably got to Epsom next Wednesday.
'One win is difficult enough and the pressure's on now _ I rarely get four winners in a season.'
Culzean finally got his act together in the £10,000 Orwell Rated Stakes. Richard Hannon's charge was fifth in the Worthington Lincoln in March but had not threatened to win a race in five subsequent starts.
However, Richard Hughes' mount was in a going mood today, beating Second Wind, on whom Jamie Mackay was deputising for the unwell Lee Newman, by a length and three quarters.
The winning trainer said: 'He was beautifully ridden.
'We have thought he would run well all season but he hasn't produced. 'Richard went outside and met trouble so he switched inside and the horse has flown.'
Rae Guest's stable is starting to hit form and he sent out his second winner in consecutive days as Boanerges landed the thehorsesmouth.co.uk Handicap.
Darryll Holland's mount hit the front inside the final furlong to score by a neck.
'He might run at Sandown next week with a penalty,' Guest said. 'The stiff five furlongs should suit him.'
