Moore in no mood to surrender his title yet

The horse pencilled in for Ryan Moore's comeback duly won on his hometown track of Brighton yesterday – but Profondo Rosso was instead ridden by Kieren Fallon and it will be a few days yet before the champion jockey is fit to resume.

Moore has not ridden in public since injuring a wrist in a fall at Windsor 17 days ago. "It's a day-to-day thing," he explained yesterday. "I need to speak to the doctors but, hopefully, it'll be some time next week. There have been no complications, and I'm in no pain at all. I rode out on Saturday and again this morning, and it was fine."

Unsurprisingly, Moore is not yet ready to accept the consensus that his injury has cost him any chance of retaining his title. "I don't know about that," he said. "You never know in racing, what's around the corner. It's always frustrating, when you're not working, but I'm being kept fairly busy."

As well as spending time with his young family, Moore has been undergoing cryogenic chamber treatment on his swollen hand. The fact is, however, that his title prospects have also been placed in the deep freeze. Paul Hanagan rode his 130th winner of the campaign at Ayr yesterday, extending his lead over Richard Hughes (117) and Moore (103).

Fallon, meanwhile, is up to 89 after completing a double at Brighton. Profondo Rosso was another to seal Fallon's reunion, during Moore's absence, with Sir Michael Stoute. His former employer has also booked him for several mounts over the weekend.

Fallon's other winner was Colepeper for Mark Johnston, with whom he is developing an intriguingly fertile partnership. Johnston said yesterday that Awzaan, an unbeaten Group One winner at two, is likely to make his first start since disappointing in the 2,000 Guineas in a Listed race at Haydock on Saturday week. The QEII at Ascot the main target.

Moore's first Classic winner, Snow Fairy, was among 16 acceptors published yesterday for the Ladbrokes St Leger. At 5-1 with the sponsors she is rated the principal alternative to Rewilding, their 7-4 favourite, after running so well against Midday at York last week. But Ed Dunlop, her trainer, warned punters that Snow Fairy is by no means certain to take on the colts at Doncaster next month.

"She's come out of the race well, but as yet there is no decision," Dunlop said. "She's also in the Prix Vermeille and we want a little longer to think about it. Before the season started, we questioned whether she would stay a mile and a half, but at the moment stamina doesn't look an issue. So we'll see what the ground does. I also need to talk to the owner, who is away at the moment."

Turf account

Chris McGrath's Nap

Sheikhtothemusic (4.10 Ayr) Showed dramatic improvement when up in trip for handicap debut last time, pulling clear of the third after leading on the bridle 2f out, possibly idling close home.

Next best

Abergavenny (7.45 Goodwood) Beaten in a photo when stepped up to this distance at Bath the other day, and Kieren Fallon seems guaranteed to suit his rallying style.

One to watch

Temple Meads (E S McMahon) Lost his unbeaten record tried over a sixth furlong at York last week, but only after confirming exceptional speed.

Where the money's going

Lost In The Moment and Ransom Note share 12-1 favouritism with the sponsors after publication of the weights for the Totesport Cambridgeshire.