I would go anywhere to ride Hoof It, says Fallon as he returns ‘home’

Then his mood changes, in an instant, at the mere mention of York and the four-day Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival that begins today.

“York, my favourite meeting of the year. In fact, the best in the country,” he says with instant spontaneity. “I like the track, but I like the people even more. They’re easy-going, but they appreciate good racing.

“The course is good, too. They realise that good prize money attracts better horses and even bigger crowds. Others should note.

“I also like moving the Ebor to a Saturday – it gives the working man a better chance to watch this great race.

“It’s also where I’ve had some of my happiest times, I started out with Jimmy Fitzgerald in 1988 – that makes me feel old – and it was fun. It was easier. You could enjoy life. And Jimmy was great, I still miss him. Now things have moved on.”

Fallon has “no regrets”. “Never look back,” he says before pointing out that this move to Newmarket, and alliance with Sir Henry Cecil and others, brought him countless Classics – and no shortage of controversy.

“But it will be like going home this week and I can’t wait. Better than going to Kempton on a Monday and no-one to watch you race for peanuts.”

The reason is clear. Backed into clear favouritism in the race to become the Ebor meeting’s leading jockey, Fallon has an enviable book of rides – even though he is the only rider to lose an Epsom Derby mount in the High Court hours before Flat racing’s showcase race. His class is still admired by trainers in these parts.

For a man proud of his White Rose roots, it is particularly apt that two of his most high-profile rides are for Yorkshire trainers.

He rides Brian Ellison’s Saptapadi in the Betfred Ebor – a race that he won in 1998 on the Cecil-trained Tuning, a well-backed 9-2 favourite – and Hoof It in the previous day’s Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.

“I actually think my best ride is in the Acomb today on Sir Michael Stoute’s two-year-old Zumbi. I like him a lot,” says the 46-year-old, who hails from County Clare.

“It’s also good for my confidence to be back with Stoutey after Ryan Moore’s injury. He makes it so simple and it was good to have a winner for him the other day at Haydock on Class is Class. “But I don’t think I’ve had better Ebor or Nunthorpe rides for a long time. I was really impressed with Saptapadi when he chased home Twice Over, who goes for the Juddmonte today, at the last York meeting.

“The Ebor is one of the best races and I think he has the scope. I went over to Brian and told him I’d take the ride if his lad, Paul Pickard, remained loyal to Tominator. It won’t be easy – you need a low draw. If not, you have no chance.”

Yet, if any rider can defy an unfavourable draw, it is Fallon after his supreme ride on Hoof It in the Blue Square Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

Despite being burdened with 10 stone, and an unpromising birth in stall 18, Fallon tacked over to the far side, where veteran trainer Mick Easterby had spotted the better ground, and then pulled effortlessly clear to record a famous victory under top weight.

“Credit Mick,” says Fallon with modesty. “He’s the one who came up with the plan while walking off his breakfast. I was fortunate that I had a couple of horses that took me to where I wanted to be.

“After that performance, where else do you go? You have to try him in the Nunthorpe. He’s certainly one of the best sprinters I’ve ever ridden, and, believe me, I’ll go anywhere to ride him.”

Fallon’s worry is Bapak Chinta, Kevin Ryan’s Royal Ascot winner, who will be receiving 24lb in an age allowance because the grey is only two years old.

“It is a lot of weight to have to give for most sprinters, but the thing about Hoof It is he is so big, strong and powerful it might not make a difference to him. He’s a big, power horse – a bit like his trainer,” joked Fallon.

“He’s exceptional. Most sprinters would struggle to give that type of weight away but he gives me the feel of something special. He took off at Goodwood, I haven’t had that feel on a horse for a long time.

“He has got a great turn of foot – great speed. The only problem I’ve had in the last three or four races that I’ve won on him was trying to find something to give us a lead.

“I couldn’t believe how much improvement that there was from York to Goodwood. The only blip was that race at Royal Ascot – the Wokingham – when he wasn’t himself. He was lifeless that day for some reason.

“Mick says that he doesn’t travel well, but Goodwood’s further away than Ascot, isn’t it?”

Tellingly, Bapak Chinta will be ridden by Paul Hanagan, the champion jockey who is 17 winners clear of Fallon in this year’s title race.

While Fallon hopes Hoof It can prevail for Easterby, who co-owns the horse with golfer Lee Westwood and sports agent Chubby Chandler, he does not expect to overhaul Hanagan or Thirsk-based Silvestre de Sousa in the jockeys’ standings.

As well as the championship, both Hanagan and de Sousa are vying for the Cock o’ the North status – and the cap that the Yorkshire Post and Racing For Change will present to the most successful Flat rider in the North.

“It’ll go to Paul. He’s a very, very good rider tactically and very strong in the finish,” added the former champion. “Silvestre is with the right trainers, Mark Johnston and David O’Meara, but Paul’s experience last year will count.

“I’d like to have a chance, but they’re really dominating racing in the North and it is good to see.

“You can get motivated for York – who can’t? – but the rest of the stuff, that’s when I struggle.”