Gallagher thrilled at comeback winner

Dean Gallagher made a dream comeback to the saddle when riding West End Dancer to victory at Folkestone.

The jockey was having his first ride in Britain since July 2 having been suspended after testing positive for cocaine.

Riding in the Levy Board Mares' Only Novices' Handicap Hurdle, Gallagher settled the 5-2 second favourite, trained by Philip McEntee, in second place as Pertemps Cindrella set the pace.

Gallagher certainly had his fitness tested as a couple of poor jumps meant he had to scrub his mount along in the back straight.

But his perseverance paid off as he took the lead on the home turn, his mount striding clear to beat Pertemps Cindrella by eight lengths.

"I am absolutely thrilled, it couldn't be better," Gallagher said. "I couldn't have asked for a better start.

"It was a long way from the turn into the straight, it felt like the line was never going to come because the horse was very tired and the ground was very testing.

"But all that work in the gym paid off.

"I've put in a lot of hard work in the last six months and it has all been worth it.

"Myself and Phil go back a long way and it's fantastic to ride a winner for him but it's thanks to a lot of people that I'm here today."

Gallagher admitted to nerves on his arrival at Folkestone but was touched by the reception he received.

He said: "It was like coming home today coming to the races.

"I didn't know how I'd feel, I was bit tense coming in but once I was here everybody treated me like I was here only yesterday.

"The public were very nice to me as we were parading in the paddock which gave me a lot of confidence.

"And when I came in again you could tell they were very happy for me. It was a great feeling - like riding my first winner again.

Gallagher, whose other mount Eviyrn was unsuccessful in the finale, travels to Musselburgh on Wednesday where his mounts include Leviathan for his retainer, owner Paul Green.

"I've just been on the phone to Mr Green, he's been a tower of strength for me, he's always been someone I've been able to phone up and talk to," Gallagher added.

"We're on the same wavelength and we've got a very good professional relationship."