Albion chairman Tony Bloom has joined forces with controversial former champion jockey Kieren Fallon.

Fallon rides the rapidly improving sprinter High Standing for Bloom in the big race at Haydock today following his enforced three-year absence from British racing.

High Standing, joint-owned by Bloom with Harry Findlay and trained by William Haggas, is favourite to make it five wins out of five this season in the group one Sprint Cup.

The horse gave Bloom a memorable success in the Wokingham handicap at Royal Ascot in June.

Brighton-based reigning champion Ryan Moore, High Standing's regular jockey, began an eight-day ban yesterday for careless riding, paving the way for rival Fallon to take over in the saddle.

The 44-year-old six-time ex-champion returned to action at Lingfield and Kempton yesterday.

Fallon has been out since losing his licence in July 2006. He was charged with race-fixing, although he was subsequently cleared at his Old Bailey trial, and also had an 18-month worldwide drug ban.

He finished a close second in his comeback race on 13-8 joint favourite Rare Malt at Lingfield yesterday.

It was the first of two second places in seven races on the day for winless Fallon, who also rode at Kempton.