For any jockey tainted by corruption and punished with a long ban, redemption can never be guaranteed. Shane Kelly will have spent his 12-month suspension wondering if he would ever again command support at high level but yesterday at York, 16 days into his comeback, he rode the biggest winner of his interrupted career.

Kelly required split-second judgment and nerveless calm to produce the maddening Geordieland for an overdue victory in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup. Fittingly, the winning trainer was Jamie Osborne, an articulate advocate for a jockey he believes was wronged by his suspension for passing information.

“I know more about his case than most,” Osborne said, “and if the reality was ever out in the open, people would see how farcical it was. He was incredibly badly treated but he took his ban, no matter how unjust, and he deserves support.”

Geordieland finished second in five of his seven starts last year and had declined to win in two seasons with Osborne. “He's the most talented horse we have, so it's been hugely frustrating,” the trainer said. “We thought of buying him a bridesmaid's dress but we can cancel that now.”

Kelly took the essential waiting tactics to such extreme that he permitted the trailblazing Royal And Regal a four-length advantage with a furlong to run. Even then, he hit the front with just enough yards left for his mount to check his charge and invite fresh indignity before holding on by a head.

The pair could meet again in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, for which VC Bet cut the winner from 25-1 to 12-1. Kelly, having expressed heartfelt gratitude to Osborne and his owners, will surely keep the ride.

The royal meeting is also the target for Bahamian Babe, who retained her unbeaten record in the listed Marygate Stakes and is now as short as 8-1 for the Queen Mary with Cashmans.

Hayley Turner, whose career continues to progress in defiance of all discouraging precedents for women jockeys, was strong and decisive on the winner but must await the availability of Jamie Spencer before knowing if she will ride again at Ascot.

Georgina Bell, wife of the winning trainer Michael, lauded Turner's work ethic. “She was riding out for Clive Brittain at 5.30 this morning but she always has a smile on her face,” she said. “She gets horses balanced and never panics.”

The other listed prize on the final day went to Raymi Coya and provided a further example of how footballers like to spend their disposable cash and leisure time. The three-year-old, trained by Marco Botti, is owned by Claudio Pizarro, of Chelsea, who adjourned his Champions League final preparations to attend.

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