Robbie Dunne remained tight-lipped as he made a winning comeback from a ten-month suspension at Hereford.
Racegoers gave the jockey a warm reception after he returned aboard the Ian Williams-trained Ernesto. The 11-4 shot got the better of Nico de Boinville's mount Jen's Boy in a close finish to the Black Mountain Botanicals Handicap Hurdle.
Dunne, out of luck on his two other rides at Tuesday's Jump Season Opener fixture, was banned for bullying and harassing rival Bryony Frost. The original 18-month term, handed out by an independent disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority, was cut to ten on appeal.
Dunne has maintained his silence publicly throughout and declined to comment after his horse's neck verdict in the fourth contest on the card. The 36-year-old hugged fiancé Katie Barraclough and smiled as he received his winners' prize with baby daughter Ava Mae in his arms.
Sam Twiston-Davies, on the mark riding Whatsdastory in the following race, said: "At the end of the day Robbie is a very liked member of the weighing room, as is Bryony and it's nice to have them both back riding winners.
"The weighing room is a different place. But at the end of the day we all have to try and work together and beat each other. A happy medium, everyone get along and have some fun along the way, and long may it continue."
Frost, sidelined for six months through injury, was successful at the first attempt on Sunday, making a rare appearance in a Flat race at Goodwood.
Connections will be patient with L'Homme Presse as he embarks on the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup route.
The Brown Advisory Novices' Chase hero paraded with several stablemates at Venetia Williams' local course. Owner Andy Edwards said the trainer is yet to plot a path to the March highlight at the Festival.
"We want to keep miles on the clock and gas in the tank," he added.
