Fallon set for late charge at champion jockey title

Fallon – currently fourth in the championship, behind Silvestre de Sousa, Paul Hanagan and the injured Ryan Moore – is intent on making a late charge and has secured a number of plum rides for York’s Ebor festival.

“I’ve been lazy all year and haven’t been taking that many rides, but I think now we’ve got a couple of months left, I’m going to throw everything at it and see how we go,” said the controversial jockey who won the last of his titles in 2003

Fallon is the only jockey who looks capable of catching Yorkshire rivals de Sousa and Hanagan, with Ryan Moore seemingly out for most, if not all, of the season following a fall at Goodwood on Saturday.

As Moore recovers from successful surgery for a broken humerus and thumb following a horrific three-horse pile-up, Fallon can empathise with the current plight of Sir Michael Stoute’s stable jockey.

“The same thing happened to me a few years ago. I was a long way in front and I didn’t get back for six months,” said 46-year-old Fallon.

“I don’t think Ryan’s injuries are as bad as first thought, which is good. He’ll be back.”

Fallon’s task will not be easy – de Sousa is likely to have the pick of Middleham trainer Mark Johnston’s in-form string as the Thirsk rider bids to win the title.

The former champion will also have to be more straightforward with his own riding arrangements – he, after all, lost a ride in this year’s Epsom Derby after reneging upon a commitment to ride Ed Dunlop’s Native Khan in the big race.

The consequence was that the High Court barred him from riding Aidan O’Brien’s Recital at Epsom and the Ballydoyle trainer may be reluctant to now employ Fallon during Moore’s protracted absence.

However, the enigmatic rider produced a tactical masterpiece as Hoof It, trained in Ryedale by Mick Easterby and co-owned by golfer Lee Westwood, defied top weight to win the Stewards Cup at Glorious Goodwood last Saturday.

The Nunthorpe Stakes – York’s championship race for sprinters – now beckons while Fallon has been booked to ride Saptapadi in the Ebor on August 20.

Brian Ellison’s five-year-old, formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is among the favourites at around 8-1 for the big handicap over a mile-and-three-quarters after an eye-catching run on Knavesmire recently.

He was only beaten by two-and-a-half lengths in fifth by the Sir Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over in the Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes after not having the smoothest of runs over the extended mile-and-a-quarter.

“Kieren has been chasing me since York to ride him,” said Malton-based Ellison.

“I thought the horse was a bit unlucky there last time.

“Obviously he stays further but a mile-and-a-quarter doesn’t faze him.

“He’s in cracking form and I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Saptapadi has been allotted 9st 5lb in the Ebor. Moyenne Corniche (8st 13lb) is another possible from the Ellison team, but he could run at Chester the same day instead.

“I’ve also got Moyenne in there, but there’s a Listed race at Chester the same day. It depends on what the ground’s like,” added the trainer.

Connections of Midday – a former Breeders’ Cup heroine – have not ruled out letting the top-class mare tackle the boys in the Juddmonte International at York on August 17.

Sir Henry Cecil’s six-time Group One winner secured a brilliant third successive victory in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Saturday. Now Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, is considering various options at the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival.

Midday also has the option of running in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks 24 hours after the International where Abdullah, owner of Juddmonte Farms, expects to be represented by recent York winner Twice Over.

“Midday has come out of Goodwood really well and I would think she would head to York next,” said Grimthorpe.

“She could either do the Juddmonte (International) or the Yorkshire Oaks.”