Fallon keeps advantage in title race

Kieren Fallon is 4-5 to retain the jockeys’ title after maintaining his two-winner advantage in the race yesterday.

Both he and Frankie Dettori, who is evens, had one winner at Newbury, where they went head-to-head in five of the seven races. The day ended with the score 154-152.

After both were out of luck in the Dubai Duty Free Cup, Dettori struck first on Sights On Gold (3-1) for Godolphin in the feature Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial, with Fallon out of the picture on Always First.

Dettori again fared better than his arch rival when finishing second on Noble Duty behind Merchant in the Haynes, Hanson And Clark Conditions Stakes.

But Fallon hit back on 4-7 favourite Shanghai Lily in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes, beating Sharp As A Tack in good style.

Dettori’s intended mount Light Of Dubai was a late absentee.

Neither rider made the frame in the next race and Fallon fared slightly better in the finale when third on Cellarmaster, with Dettori fourth on Compton Drake.

Dettori has a golden opportunity of putting the pressure on Fallon as he has a full book of seven rides at Newbury today while the champion switches to partner First Charter in the St Leger at the Curragh.