Robbie Dunne returns to the saddle with a winner on Ernesto at Hereford

Tuesday: Hereford

Robbie Dunne returned to the saddle with a winner aboard the well-backed Ernesto in the 3m1½f handicap hurdle.

The Ian Williams-trained seven-year-old looked in trouble off the bend but Dunne picked off the idling 6-4 favourite Jen's Boy after the final hurdle and fended off a late rally to score narrowly.

It was Dunne's first ride since his ten-month suspension for the bullying and harassment of fellow jockey Bryony Frost.

He was out of luck on two subsequent rides, finishing fourth on Molliana in the 2m3½f mares' handicap hurdle before pulling up O'Grady's Boy in the concluding handicap hurdle.

Dunne rode a career-best tally of 44 winners in the 2020-21 season prior to a campaign cut short by the suspension, which was reduced from 18 months on appeal in March.

Promising prospect

Getaway Drumlee justified strong market support to make an eyecatching winning debut in the 2m3½f novice hurdle.

A dual point-to-point winner, the six-year-old was backed into 8-13 and overcame visible inexperience to score by four and three-quarter lengths.

"He's a lovely horse and we think a lot of him at home," winning rider Kielan Woods told Sky Sports Racing. "He's like any horse, we haven't been able to school him on the grass as it's been so quick but he has that experience under his belt now - he's a really nice horse."

It was a 34th winner of the campaign for Woods, taking him clear of his previous career-best total of 33 winners attained last season.

Results, replays and analysis

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