Johnston hike yields Brighton gold

There could hardly have been a more unlikely trainer to surface at Brighton than Mark Johnston, but his 300-mile journey was not in vain as he saddled the winner of the track's feature race of the year.Johnston owns his own aeroplane, which made the trip from Middleham immeasurably easier, but the Scot could not accurately recall the last time he had visited the place.The riches on offer in the John Smith's Brighton Mile tempted him to declare two and it was the 'second string', 20-1 shot My Gacho, who gained the day by a short head from Elna Bright. Stablemate Burns Night (13-2) was 11th."It's amazing what you will do for a £26,000 race," said Johnston."Funnily enough, a punter came up to me in the stands and asked me which of the two I fancied. I said Burns Night and he said, 'good, that's the one I fancy too!' It just proves we don't always know."He continued: "My taxi driver asked me when the last time I had been here was. I thought it was only a couple of years but, looking around now, I think it must be more like five or six."I'm pleased for My Gacho. His owner Grant Mercer was very keen for me to keep going with the horse when I wasn't so sure, so it's nice he has been rewarded."Johnston was completing a double as Jutland (7-2) had earlier delivered another of the stable's trademark efforts in the Windmill At Rustington EBF Maiden Stakes, refusing to give up his lead and winning well by a length and a half."I thought a lot of this horse before he ever ran but he had two disappointing runs, so I can't say I had the greatest of confidence," said the trainer. "He's still green and this should put him in the right direction."Johnston said an entry in the Royal Lodge Stakes was unlikely to be taken up.