IT'S a new year and it's a final year for George Moore to be an official trainer, so it was fantastic to see the popular Middleham handler get on the scoresheet at Catterick on New Year's Day.

The win came courtesy of the tough Lady Yeats under Joe Colliver in the opening novices' hurdle.

Afterwards, Moore, who will retire at the end of the month, said: "Joe gave her a brilliant ride. She will go to the sales at Doncaster now and will give somebody a lot of fun as she is so tough."

Moore's neighbour Mark Johnston, who saddled more than 200 winners again last year, also wasted little time getting off the mark in 2016 as Mariee made a winning start to her career at Chelmsford last Saturday under the ever-reliable Joe Fanning.

Charlie Johnston was on hand, saying: "We have a big number of horses to run on the all-weather, so it was difficult to judge Mariee. She was very professional and is a big, scopey filly and related to an Italian Oaks winner, so there was a worry seven furlongs might be a bit sharp for her. She will stay further."

The trainer's son also had a positive word about leading Qipco 1000 Guineas contender Lumiere.

He said: "Lumiere is great. Mum (Deirdre Johnston) has been riding her out every day at home. She had four to six weeks off after the Cheveley Park, then she has just been walking and trotting up until Christmas.

"It's not for me to say plans for the horse as that will be decided nearer the time by dad, John Ferguson and Sheikh Mohammed.

"They will decide whether she goes straight to the Guineas or has a prep race. Both our other two Guineas winners went straight there and I would have no fears in doing that. I think she will stay the mile."

Johnston also revealed last year's Coventry Stakes hero Buratino is set to return to Newmarket for a shot at the 2000 Guineas, having finished second at the track on his final start of the season in the Middle Park Stakes.

He said: "Like Lumiere, mum has been riding out Buratino. He is in really good form and looks well and he will be aimed at the Guineas. After that we can reassess.

"Watching the Middle Park run, he was staying on well and if anything he was gaining on Shalaa.

"He is a much easier ride for William (Buick) and he has started to settle well and I personally think he will stay the mile as well."

Richard Johnson will be looking forward to being crowned champion jockey later this year and earlier this week he racked up his 3,000th career success when St Saviour won at Ludlow.

The 38-year-old now needs just four more wins to reach 3,000 over jumps. Sir Tony McCoy is the only other rider to achieve that feat.

Appropriately riding St Saviour for his boss Philip Hobbs, victory was fairly straightforward on the promising Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned four-year-old, who made his debut a winning one in the Best Wishes For 2016 Juvenile Maiden Hurdle.

Leading two from home, he came well clear for a 21-length call from The Coffee Hunter as the even-money favourite.

Johnson is carrying all before him this term and is virtually assured of a first title in April, one that eluded him when the now-retired McCoy dominated the scene.

Delighted with the achievement, he said: "It's great to get to the 3,000 mark. We knew we were getting close. I don't actually keep a record of every single one, so I was hoping someone would tell me when I got there!

"I really must say that I'm only as good as the horses I ride and the trainers and owners I've been associated with.

"I'd like to thank all the people I've ridden for over the past 22 years and obviously my agent Dave Roberts, who has done such a fantastic job.

"My first winner was Rusty Bridge at Hereford for my grandad, Ivor. At that stage I thought I was just going to be an amateur jockey riding a few point-to-point winners.

"It's been an amazing experience and I've been very fortunate to work with so many great people over the years."