Pat Eddery today shrugged off the tribulations of a controversial couple of days to emphasise the skills that could lift him to a 12th jockeys' title.
He left little doubt that he will be a tough man to beat in the three-cornered battle for the riding crown with an impeccable effort on the favourite Caribbean Monarch in the Victor Chandler Raceday' Handicap at Sandown Park.
Eddery was bouncing back from yesterday's narrow defeat on Kalanisi in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes when he - along with winning rider George Duffield - was referred to the Jockey Club for misuse of the whip.
The Irishman, who was banned for one day for careless riding in the same race, can expect a suspension of up to 10 days for the whip offence.
Yesterday's misdemeanours came on top of two separate bans of four days which Eddery picked up on Friday.
The suspensions were a massive blow to Eddery's hopes of regaining the title.
But the jockey said: "It's unfortunate but at least I'll have a nice break and be freshened up ready for the challenge ahead.
"Sometimes you can go three or four months with nothing happening but when you are riding you are bound to be punished sooner or later."
Many are critical of the current whip regulations but Eddery said: "Every jockey is simply going to try their best.
"The rules are there and if you break them you have to suffer the consequences.
"I just rode Kalanisi as any normal jockey would have done. I gave him everything and he tried hard.
"I don't abuse horses and you could see that neither of those two horses in the finish curled up.
"I'm sure Kalanisi will come back and win a Group One race somewhere."
Eddery showed just why many trainers will be seeking his services for the remainder of the season with a textbook ride on Kalanisi's stablemate Caribbean Monarch.
The 5-2 chance, a winner of the Royal Hunt Cup last time, was expertly eased back into the pack when it looked like he was going to see too much daylight, before pouncing late on.
The official winning margin of half a length seriously underestimates Caribbean Monarch's true superiority over the runner-up Speedfit Too.
Eddery was keen to give credit for his part in the victory to the sidelined Kieren Fallon whose serious shoulder injury has opened up the jockeys' championship.
"I spoke to Kieren yesterday and he gave me the riding instructions - he told me this horse needs to be covered up," he said.
"But I was on a really good horse and he quickened up really well when I asked him."
Caribbean Monarch is now 7-1 favourite (from 10s) with the sponsors for the the Tote International Handicap at Ascot on Diamond Day.
Bargain buy Misty Eyed secured her third success with an impressive display in the Dragon Stakes.
She pulled away in great style under Lee Newman in the final furlong of the Listed event to defeat Triple Blue by two and a half lengths.
Trainer Nerys Dutfield will now consider Goodwood's Molecomb Stakes for the 3,000 guineas purchase.
"Thank God that's all over," said Dutfield. "We had two hot favourites stuffed and that rather knocked our confidence a bit.
"She's done us proud and we got her cheap because she had a back, a front and a middle and none of it matched.
"But she has a lovely temperament and managed to win today even though she is still green."
Kevin Darley remains six behind Eddery in the title race after securing victory aboard Silla in the Ian Russell Happy 40th Birthday EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes.
But Richard Quinn lost further ground when drawing another blank today.
Silla is a daughter of the Prix de l'Abbaye winner Silver Fling and trainer Ian Balding - notching only his second juvenile success of the year - reckons she is a smart sprinter in the making.
The much-improved Octane showed his exertions in winning at Haydock on Friday night had not left their mark when romping home in the utravel.co.uk Handicap.
Stoute went on to complete a double when Kiftsgate, with Gary Carter deputising for the unwell John Reid, landed the Hazel Adair Millennium Birthday Maiden Stakes.
But the stable's better-fancied Executive Order, ridden by Eddery, was a disappointing fourth.
