JACK Gilligan, seeking to re-establish his riding career back home after a nine year stint in America, firmly advertised his ability in the saddle when landing a double at Salisbury.

The Newmarket jockey left England in 2015 to seek a better future in Kentucky after riding just four winners from a meagre 27 rides. However, after booting home more than 400 winners Stateside where his lightweight earned him greater opportunities, he returned to his former base last Autumn intent on rebuilding his career in England.

The first of his brace came when Morte Point came from last to first, swooping in the final furlong to mow down the odds-on favourite but one paced Invited in the style of a above average two-year-old who was cheaply but shrewdly bought at just 25,000 guineas.

He delivered his second via Daisy Roots who he kept in a prominent position in the one mile handicap, and though strongly pressed by We'renotereallyhere in the final furlong, held on by half a length as the pair drew clear.

Morte Point's success was certainly a case of keeping it in the family. His year elder brother, Study Up, also making his racecourse debut, took the sprint for three-year-olds. 

The in-form Ross Coakley kept the Clive Cox-trained colt at the back of the field but was making headway when he broadsided the favourite Brave Instinct who was already dropping out of contention. However, Coakley weaved him through a gap and once he took the lead inside the final furlong, the issue was never in doubt. 

Only 50 horses were originally declared for the six race card on what is one of Salisbury's most popular meetings before seven others were taken out. On that basis, punters would have been expected to floor the layers but it was very much a triumph for the bookmakers with only favourite obliging - and that was a joint one with Daisy Roots.

One non-runner was Dancingwithmyself who doubtless would have gone off as the market choice in the night cap, following an easy success at Ripon last month. Her absence left the door open for Hutchence who benefitted from sporting blinkers for the first time to run away with the 12 furlong handicap. It will be interesting to see what the handicapper makes of it.