Dawson back with a win on Edith Cowan

A jubilant Ray Dawson guided 13/8 favourite Edith Cowan home in the mile apprentice handicap at Leopardstown, on his first ride back from a lengthy suspension.

The young jockey provided a positive drugs test in May 2012 and at a referrals committee last August he gave evidence that his drink had been spiked. His licence was withdrawn for two years, with the final 15 months of the penalty being suspended.

Dawson on Edith Cowan and Ross Coakley on Little Arrows both came through the field with sustained runs, but Edith Cowan had too many guns in the final furlong and won by three and a quarter lengths.

Charles O’Brien trained the winner and said: “She deserved that after last week when she was a bit unfortunate.

“I’m not looking forward to the handicapper’s reaction. She was 3lb well in here. She went up 3lbs for last week, but she didn’t have to carry that.

“She’s in the July sales and we might get another run into her before that.

“Ray gave her a good ride. Johnny Murtagh has been very helpful with Ray.”

Little Arrows (7/2) came in second, but was eight and a half lengths clear of third-placed At Boolavogue (10/1).

Additional reporting by Gary Carson