Fallon fourth on return

Kieren Fallon finished fourth at Leopardstown last night on his first ride since he was charged as part of a police investigation into alleged race-fixing.

Although banned by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority in Britain pending an appeal, he is still allowed to ride in Ireland, where he is licensed.

He partnered Munching Mike for Charlie Swan but his mount could only plug on at one-pace as the opening Football Goes Racing At Leopardstown Handicap went to his stablemate Cabo.

Fran Berry brought the filly to lead inside the final furlong to beat Piltown, the 5-2 favourite, by half a length.

Fallon went one place better in the Football Furlong Premiership Handicap when third on the Tommy Stack-trained Enfield Chase after disputing the running through the early stages.

The seven-furlong contest went the way of fellow pacesetter Orpailleur, the 7-2 favourite, who had a comfortable three lengths over Artist’s Tale at the line.

Fallon also had to settle for fourth on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Beauty Bright in the feature race of the evening, the Group Three Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Brownstown Stakes.

The seven-furlong event looked set to go the way of Chris Wall’s 2-1 favourite Wake Up Maggie, who seized the initiative and went clear shortly after the turn into the straight.

However, she was clawed back deep inside the final furlong by Barry Hills’ Spinning Queen (7-2), who came with a remorseless run and got up on the line to prevail by a head.

Rider Michael Hills, son of the winning trainer, said: “I thought she was impressive and they went a good pace. She has got stronger and I think she is a good filly. She has a great turn of foot and goes on any ground.”