Former top-flight jockey Paul Eddery was out of luck on his return to race-riding in Britain at Carlisle today.
The 38-year-old, who has been riding abroad for the last two years, partnered Moon Glow for Sally Hall, runner-up to easy winner Triple Wood in the Kier Northern Maiden Stakes, but he was pleased to be back.
"That feels good," he said. "I can't remember the last time I was here. I rode here plenty of times when I was an apprentice for Reg Hollinshead.
"I've been in Germany for a couple of months where I won the 2000 Guineas and two Group Twos. Before that I was in India where I rode five Classic winners in all.
"I've really enjoyed my experienced abroad but with all the jockeys getting suspended I thought it was a good time to come back! There is plenty of racing on a weekend so I should be able to pick up some rides but maybe not winning ones."
Eddery, who won two July Cups on Cadeaux Genereaux and Owington, said: "I can do 8st 2lb and will be based in Newmarket. Ian Wardle is my agent."
Fairgame Man carried the familiar pink and white colours of leading jumps owner Robert Ogden to victory in some style in the Cumbrian Industrials Maiden Auction Stakes.
The Alan Berry-trained colt was always racing prominently before asserting two furlongs out and drawing comfortably clear to score by one and a quarter lengths from the sponsors' Cumbrian Harmony.
"He's a nice little colt," remarked Berry. "He's owned in partnership by Mr Ogden, Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguson) and Jack Hanson.
"I ran him up here because I thought Fergie might be able to come but he's busy training."
Fairgame Man was giving Berry his 45th winner of the season.
Friar Tuck took advantage of the favourable race conditions of the Industrial Securities Classified Stakes to beat Pure Elegancia a shade cosily by one and a quarter lengths.
The five-furlong dash for horses rated 0-70 was run to suit Linda Perratt's five-year-old, officially rated 69, with Chillian setting a decent pace.
Promising apprentice Keith Dalgleish switched Friar Tuck to the outside with two furlongs left to travel and produced the 11-8 favourite with a well-timed challenge to lead close home and land the spoils in course-record time.
"I've never seen the horse look so well," commented Miss Perratt. "He's had tiebacks and then he was Hobdayed and then we had him tubed.
"But he hated being tubed so we had it taken out in January and he's never looked back."
Friar Tuck will not get chance to rest on his laurels as Miss Perratt explained.
"If he comes back well he'll run at Ayr on Monday," she said. "But the long-term aim is the Silver Cup at Ayr."
Thwaab, beaten a short head by Cretan Gift in the Silver Cup four years ago, showed his appreciation for the firm ground with a clear-cut success in the H & H Group Handicap.
Fred Watson's 14-1 chance finished well for Paul Goode to beat Miss Perratt's Ryefield by a length in the seven-furlong contest.
Thwaab, whose five wins have all been on a fast surface, was recording his first victory for two years.
"He's always been a good horse but he just lost his way a bit," said Watson. "But he is well handicapped now.
"He showed he was coming back to form here last time and he'll run again at Redcar on Sunday _ it's the ground with him."
Dalgleish went on to complete a near 30-1 double when 12-1 chance Invisible Force showed improved form in first-time blinkers to slam Woodwind Down by six lengths in the Tarmac Quarry Products Handicap.
Kevin Darley also enjoyed two victories on Triple Wood (4-7) and Alexandrine (2-9) in the Cartmell Shepherd Classified Stakes.
