Irish jockey Kieren Fallon served a six-month ban

The six-times champion jockey was suspended by the French authorities in December after testing positive for a metabolite of a prohibited substance.

Fallon steered 4-7 favourite The Bogberry to a narrow victory in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Race.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt just got up to see off Rainbow Crossing.

Fallon received a warm welcome from the Tipperary racegoers as he returned to unsaddle.

"They are unbelievable over here and it gives me confidence knowing they are behind me," said Fallon.

"I like this horse and have been riding him all winter and he is one of my favourite horses in the yard.

"Things did not go to plan as we got caught behind two horses but the reception we got was great.

"I have not missed much of the season and I have always said the season really starts at Epsom so I am looking forward to the rest of the year."

Fallon could not make it a double as Flying Cheetah failed to sparkle in the Knockanglass Stables Handicap, eventually finishing last of the 18 runners.