John Quinn did not need to consult with his new owner Dr Marwan Koukash to find out the next target for Kiama Bay after he won the feature race on the opening day of the new Flat season at Catterick.

The five-year-old was a first runner in the familiar grey and beige silks for Malton handler Quinn and as Koukash aims to have a runner in every race at Chester's May meeting, that is where Kiama Bay will end up.

Koukash loves nothing more than having representatives at his local track and in this improving five-year-old, he will have at least one lively chance of a winner.

Ridden by Ian Brennan in the William Hill Handicap, the 11-4 favourite was short of room two furlongs out but his partner refused to panic and shot through when the gap appeared to beat Royal Swain by three-quarters of a length.

"That was nice as he's the first horse I've had for the owner," said Quinn.

"I told him to buy him so it's nice that he's won first time.

"The handicapper can't crucify him for that and I know where he'll be going, a mile-and-a-half handicap at Chester in May."

Quinn later doubled up when the massive mare Madamlily (6-1) hacked up in the williamhill.com New iPhone App Handicap under Tom Eaves.

Second on her hurdling debut back in November, she had this contest won some way out and was eased down crossing the line.

"She's a grand mare and has plenty of size about her. She ran well over hurdles first time, but we'll keep her novice status until next year now," added Quinn.

"It's a huge relief to have two winners on the board already. Last year I'd only had nine by June and I was looking for another job!"

The first race of the new season, the William Hill - Home Of Betting Apprentice Handicap, was won by Eric Alston's Ballarina (15-2) which was an apt success.

Alston won the corresponding race at Lincoln 50 years ago on Troilus and led the race to be champion jockey - for half an hour at least.

This time Neil Farley was the man in the saddle and after blasting out of the stalls never saw another rival.

"It's 50 years since I won the first race of the season when I was a jockey," said Alston.

"This girl is all speed and when she was younger she barely stayed three furlongs.

"We've been patient with her and it will hopefully pay off."

There was bad news for Paul Pickard, rider of third home Spirit Of Coniston, who picked up a seven-day ban (April 13-16, 18, 19 and 20) for three separate incidents.

Phillip Makin has made a good start to his new job with Kevin Ryan on the all-weather and transferred it to the turf as Masked Dance (12-1) won the williamhill.com Handicap by a length and three-quarters.

"It's definitely on the soft side out there (official description good, good to firm in places) but that's a good thing because I told the owner on the way here we might have to pull him out if it's too quick," said Ryan.

Brian Ellison has enjoyed a great winter over jumps and on the all-weather and his good form shows no signs of stopping as Thrust Control (2-1 favourite) ran away with the claimer under Silvestre de Sousa, leading jockey at Catterick last season.

Paul Midgley jumped off the cold list as Another Wise Kid (6-1) won the William Hill Maiden Stakes in good style for Micky Fenton.

"He ran well first time but lost his form in the middle of the season,'' said Midgley.

"He ran well at Pontefract on his final start, though, and I thought he was a certainty today."