Fallon looks to ride at Cheltenham

Kieren Fallon has applied for a license which will enable him to ride in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

The Press Association says the six-time champion Flat jockey is expected to get the leg up on the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Refinement, who runs in the colours of Michael Tabor.

Fallon was recently snapped up by the Coolmore team to ride all the horses owned by Tabor, John Magnier and Derrick Smith after their retained rider Jamie Spencer sensationally quit the lucrative job.

The Irishman has applied to the Jockey Club for a jumps license that, if granted, will restrict him to riding in National Hunt Flat races, similar to the license granted to Michael Hills in 2003 when he rode Be Fair in the same race.

Spencer – who left Coolmore last month – is also planning to ride in next Wednesday’s closing event aboard the Martin Pipe-trained Buena Vista.

He landed the race in 2002 on Edward O’Grady’s Pizarro, who just edged out the Magnier-owned Rhinestone Cowboy in a pulsating finish.

Coral have cut Refinement to 8-1 from 12s.

“Some shrewd punters were backing this mare first thing this morning, and it came as no surprise when we heard the former Flat champion’s name put in the frame for the ride,” said the firm’s David Stevens.

“If Fallon does ride, with Jamie Spencer also set to ride in the race, this year’s Bumper looks set to be a real thriller,” added Stevens.

Weatherbys Champion Bumper, Coral bet: 7-2 Missed That, 8-1 Refinement, Karanja, 9-1 Rasharrow, 11-1 Firth Of Forth, 12-1 The Mick Weston, 14-1 Yaboya, Be Be King, 16-1 Glasker Mill, Eye On The Ball, Mendo, Lennon, Beautiful Vision, 20-1 High Tech Maid, Senorita Rumbalita, 25-1 Buena Vista, Black Jack Ketchum, De Soto, Itsmyboy, Clew Bay Cove, 33-1 bar.