Delight for Fallon as Alexandrova storms home

KIEREN FALLON, whose current tribulations have been well documented, returned to a rapturous reception after partnering Alexandrova to a smooth victory in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh yesterday.

He seemed visibly moved at the warmth of the thunderous applause which greeted him on his return to the winner's enclosure, as the vast throng wasted no time nailing their colours to the mast.

The message, for those listening across channel was clear, the thousands at headquarters were clearly of the opinion a man is innocent until proven guilty.

“You need things like this when it is going against you”, said Fallon. “The reception on Derby Day here was one of the best feelings I have had in a long time.”

He rode Alexandrova with almost frightening confidence, especially if you were one of those who lumped on. Flyingit lived up to her name and quickly establised a big lead, with Scottish Stage her closest pursuer. Fallon was content to wait right out the back and approaching the straight the daughter of Sadler's Wells was still firmly anchored at the rear.

Scottish Stage got to the front with over two furlongs to go, but suddenly Alexandrova was slicing through the field.

She swept past Scottish Stage with just over a furlong to run and lengthened away in style to score unextended by four lengths.

“That was easy, she is as good a filly as I have ridden”, reported Fallon. “I got a great reception today, everything helps.

“I'm relaxed, as I know I have done nothing wrong. It is only a matter of time before this is cleared up. I am well used to pressure and switch off once in the stalls.

“I knew Alexandrova was the best in the race and rode her accordingly. We had a lot to do, but I was always confident.

“Aidan (O'Brien) can do anything he wants with her now, she goes from strength to strength.”

For Fallon it was the third time he had completed the Epsom-Irish Oaks double, previously scoring with Ramruma and Ouija Board.

O'Brien, of course, was enjoying his first win in this particular classic. Said O'Brien: “She is electric, it is how quickly she goes from 0-60 which makes her better than other horses.

“I am delighted for Kieren, it is important he knows everybody is behind him. Hopefully, this will pass over very soon.

“She has so much speed and the Yorkshire Oaks is likely to be next. But we will go home, sit down and a have a chat about it.

“She could run in the Irish Champion Stakes, I wouldn't be afraid to drop her back to ten furlongs, and the 'Arc is another consideration.

“That's how good she is and the ground at Longchamp, if it came up soft, wouldn't be a worry. The way she carries herself would make you think she might like a bit of cut.”

William Hill make Alexandrova a 12-1 shot for the Arc, with Cashmans offering 14's.

All the chat before the Jumeirah EBF Maiden centred on O'Brien's Red Rock Canyon, a half-brother to ill-fated Horatio Nelson. But he wasn't a major order in the ring or anything like that and a returned price of 4-5 was his best.

He ran well, but could not peg back Jim Bolger's newcomer, Teofilio, who stayed on really strongly for Kevin Manning.

The son of Galileo is very highly regarded by his handler. “He's a proper horse, one with a future”, said Bolger confidently.

“The Tyros Stakes could be next and I see him as a National Stakes horse.”

Another who may challenge for the National Stakes is Kevin Prendergast's Regional Counsel, who landed the Dubai Duty Free Anglesey Stakes. This was a major step up from his maiden success at Limerick, but the son of Medicean is clearly a most progressive sort.

Indeed, he had to show plenty of courage through the final furlong, squeezing through a gap between Sadeek and Chivalrous to get on top close home.

Whether the form will amount to much remains to be seen with less than a length covering the first five home.

Commented Prendergast: “He has been working nicely since Limerick and might take his chance in the National Stakes.”

There was over €55,000 to the winner of the Group Three Emirates Airline Minstrel Stakes, but it could still only muster three runners. And of them, Ballydoyle's Tiger Dance performed deplorably and never threatened to get competitive. Michael Kinane tried to steal it from the front on Noelani, off a slow pace, but Seb Sanders pushed English challenger Jedburgh ahead inside the furlong pole to score in a driving finish. The principals did get very close together, but it was six of one and half a dozen of the other and the subsequent stewards' inquiry was never going to see a reversal of placings.

Nina Carberry was seen to real advantage in the Thalgo Ladies Derby Handicap, powering Tour De Force ahead with under two furlongs to run to beat the fast finishing Swiss Cottage.

“I wasn't going to run him as I was struggling for a jockey and then Nina became available at the last minute”, revealed trainer, Eoin Griffin.

“He is a horse who has always shown a lot of ability at home, but for whatever reason hasn't produced it on the track.”

Peter Casey, who has his team in terrific shape, missed seeing Fran Berry bringing Blessyourpinksox with a sweeping late challenge to take the Kilboy Estate Stakes.

Casey preferred to remain at home waching his native Dublin hammer Offaly in the Leinster football final.

Dal Cais, who seemed to need all of a mile when taking his maiden at Bellewstown, dropped down to six furlongs to outbattle Spirit Of Pearl in the Maudlins House Hotel Nursery.