Drowne makes welcome return

Steve Drowne was delighted just to be back in the saddle as he finished fourth aboard Douglas Pasha at Lingfield.

The experienced Flat jockey made a low-key return for trainer Richard Hannon in the Play Golf At Lingfield Park Resort Maiden Stakes.

Drowne suffered a blackout at home last March but succeeded in his fight to ride again, although despite being given the all-clear by a specialist he had to struggle to get his driving licence back from the DVLA.

He was passed by the British Horseracing Authority's chief medical officer Dr Turner before being allowed to resume his riding career.

Drowne said: "I've been doing a fair bit at home and it was good to get started, I've been riding out every day.

"Unfortunately it's not a good time to get rides but you've got to come back some time and I didn't have much choice."

While there was no triumphant return for Drowne, reigning champion jockey Richard Hughes made a flying start after a break when taking the very same race on 4/5 favourite Red Refraction for Hannon and in the same ownership as Douglas Pasha, that of Middleham Park Racing.

Hughes went on to complete a double on Linkable (4/1) for Brendan Powell in the Breathe Spa At Lingfield Marriott Handicap before going on to Kempton's evening fixture.