Fallon fails to fire on return
The six-times champion jockey headed to the track for the first time in the UK since finishing unplaced at Newbury on June 27, 2006, and the closest he came to the winner’s enclosure was two second-place finishes.
His first ride, Rare Malt in the Withyham Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Lingfield, carried plenty of support as the 13-8 joint favourite, but failed to provide the dream comeback by being relegated into second by the Hayley Turner-ridden Mr Mahoganeigh.
Turner said: “I’ve spoilt the party haven’t I? The horse did it really easily. He jumped well and knew the job.”
Dylan Thomas in the 2007 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe remains the 44-year-old’s last taste of success, with his remaining comeback rides all finishing down the field on ‘Fallon Friday’.
Fallon admitted he was surprised at how rusty he felt, and added: “It’s taking longer than I thought to get a feel of the racecourse again.
“My fitness is fine, it’s just a case of getting used to the track and the feel of a race again and it will be a bonus to have today under my belt.
“It was great to get a nice reception at Lingfield and it all helps to build your confidence back up again.
“I enjoy coming to the course, it’s the only thing I know and the only thing I want to do.
“I just want to ride as many winners as I can and hopefully have a crack at the championship next year.
“The jockeys’ title has been my ambition from the time I stopped riding but it is going to be tough as Ryan Moore has a great stable behind him.”
After his second-place finish at Lingfield, Fallon’s results got worse through the afternoon with Roodee King finishing fourth, Diriculous taking fifth and Satwa Gold beating just one home.
Having tanked around the M25, he arrived at Kempton for three rides and had a brief brush with the stewards after occupying third place aboard Wigan Lane in division two of the Celtic Contractors Nursery Handicap.
He was cautioned for careless riding for allowing his mount to hang into the whip and later bemoaned a lost opportunity.
He said: “I should have really won the race, but the gap closed on me and I’m sure with my first winner everything will fall into place.”
That win proved elusive later in the evening with Arte Viva beaten by a length and Sir Michael Stoute’s Bugaku just fourth on his final ride of the day.
The weekend provides Fallon with a whole host of opportunities including two Group One attempts, with William Haggas’ High Standing ready to justify favouritism in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.
Fallon added: “He appreciates cut in the ground but he wouldn’t want it heavy.
“It is a drying track though, and he is the one they all have to beat.”
