Racing: Piggott breaks season's duck

LESTER PIGGOTT has endured a longer than usual wait to make his mark on the Flat season but finally opened his account in a humble seller at Kempton yesterday.

Almost exactly a month after returning to action in Britain after a stint in the Far East, 58-year-old Piggott guided Bold Pursuit to a comfortable success for Jimmy FitzGerald's stable.

Bruce Raymond, who is only 50, put his youth to good effect with a double on Top Guide and Robsera, while Willie Ryan went one better with a treble on Red October, Saint Keyne and Caleman.

What sets Piggott's success in perspective is that Ryan dedicated his Kempton winners to his father, Denis, a riding contemporary of Piggott who was celebrating his 58th birthday yesterday. Unlike the 11-times champion, he retired from the saddle 15 years ago.