Kieren Fallon's return: Brian O'Connorwatches as an Irish legend, admittedly a controversial one, makes a successful return to action after a six-month worldwide drug ban

There was ample evidence at Tipperary yesterday evening that in Ireland we like our heroes to have just a whiff of sulphur about them when Kieren Fallon secured a perfect return to race-riding in front of an adoring public.

Racing's most controversial figure may be currently fighting a High Court case in London to have corruption charges against him dropped, and he might have been returning from a six-month worldwide cocaine ban, but the 3,000 strong crowd at an otherwise mundane midweek meeting were determined to show their support.

That determination was obvious even as the 42-year-old Co Clare-born jockey marched from the weigh room for his first racecourse ride since last November's Melbourne Cup.

Signing autographs without stopping, the six times champion jockey, who is banned from riding in the UK, walked into spontaneous and prolonged applause from the crowd around the parade ring.

Any representatives of the British racing establishment present might have been surprised at the reception but there appears to be an undoubted "them and us" attitude developing around the Fallon case, something reflected during the applause when one onlooker grinned: "The Brits are going to love this!"

There were other shouts of "come on Fallon" even before he left the parade ring for the 4 to 7 favourite in the two-year-old maiden, Aidan O'Brien's The Bogberry, and with a typical sense of the dramatic Fallon didn't disappoint his audience.

The Bogberry was badly hampered before the straight and looked to be beaten before his jockey finished with a typical flourish to win eventually eased down by a neck.

There was a huge reception in the winner's enclosure and not surprisingly Fallon was followed by a large media scrum into the weigh room where the notoriously media-shy jockey batted a series of questions away with some aplomb.

There is no escaping his confidence that the corruption charges against him will be dropped. The High Court hearing is expected to wind up today with a judgement delivered possibly on Monday. However, Fallon doesn't even appear to be contemplating a high-profile court case next September.

"Where's the racing next week?" he smiled.

"In England?" he was asked.

"Yeah!" More seriously, the jockey didn't attempt to hide his desire to return to race-riding in Britain and clearly has the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting later in the month in his sights.

"I'm very confident of winning this thing. Hopefully I will be able to get back to riding in England after the weekend. That's my main target," he said.

As for the reception, he was clearly encouraged by the support that is obviously widespread for him in this country.

"It's unbelievable the support I have here in Ireland. The public have been great and it does help. It gives a lot of confidence," he said. "It feels great to be back and hopefully I can get back riding in England as well." A first overseas trip, however, will be to France on Sunday where Fallon has been booked by one French trainer to ride in a Group Three on the Chantilly card, and there remains the possibility of a classic comeback in the Prix de Diane, the French Oaks.

Fallon said he was determined to keep focused during his long absence from the sport and as well as riding out regularly at O'Brien's Ballydoyle stables, he rode some track work in the USA and also used the opportunity to undergo some surgery to his foot. "I feel refreshed and very fit," he said before being asked if he thought he might have made a difference to any of O'Brien's runners this season, particularly in last Saturday's Epsom Derby.

"You would like to think you would make a difference. If you don't have confidence in yourself, you have nothing," he said.

The perfect ending to the evening didn't happen, however, as Fallon's other ride, Flying Cheetah, finished a tailed off last in the sprint handicap. Sometimes even the confidence of a returning hero isn't enough.

Royal Rhythm in Wexford

Conditions are likely to be very quick at Wexford tonight where Royal Rhythm could be a decent bet in the novice hurdle.

John Murphy's horse was a wide-margin winner at Limerick when beating Salt Lake and that success on good to firm going is encouraging in terms of tonight's conditions.

On official figures, Royal Rhythm has plenty to find with the 117-rated Irish Invader who Ruby Walsh teams up while the recent Tramore winner Enfield Chase and the former Greenham Stakes scorer Salford City will also figure.

However, Royal Rhythm was impressive last time out and with a claim he looks the one to beat.

Champion jockey Declan McDonogh teams up with Joe Crowley for Snowfox in the second mile and five handicap and there was enough in this one's previous run at Tramore to suggest he can score.