Political Policy (left) beats Paris Texas© Photo Healy Racing
Ger Fox was back in business at Bellewstown tonight when partnering his first winner since returning to the saddle last month aboard Political Policy
The jockey tested positive for cocaine at last October's Galway meeting and served a six-month suspension as a result.
He returned to action at Listowel last month and has only had a handful of rides since.
Having taken the job as assistant trainer to Gavin Cromwell during his ban he repaid the Navan handler for his support.
100/30 favourite Political Policy bounced out in front in the Peter Casey Memorial Maiden Hurdle and responded gamely when tackled by Paris Texas at the last.
That rival got his head in front on the run-in but Political Policy rallied well to grab the spoils close home.
The Stewards had a look with the winner drifting left close home and briefly bumping the runner-up but the result stood.
“As you can see it meant a lot to me, at my local track and all,” said Fox afterwards.
“Gavin is after having five seconds as well so it was brilliant to get one on the board here for the two of us.
“Given how good he is to me it's great to pay him back with a winner.
“There was a little bump just before the line but it didn't make any difference in the finish. My lad was lugging in a bit.
“He was a little bit lonely but the minute the horse came to him he went on again. He's a right little horse and that's his tenth win now. We'll have a bit of fun with him in Galway hopefully.
“He had a good look the whole way around and probably would have loved a bit of company but nothing really came to me and he just had to go and do the job himself.”
Cromwell added:- “Hopefully the monkey is off my back. I couldn't believe it the way he fought back, he just idled in front. Hopefully everything goes okay in the stewards room.”
“He's brilliant and so genuine, that was his 80th run today. He's after winning ten and he's been placed a load of times.
“He's had two wind operations and has had his issues but he's overcome them.
“Galway is a possibility. We'll see how he comes out of this and target something then.
“I'm coming here as long as I can remember, since about five or six, and it's great to get a winner here.”
