Fallon free for Chester but out of Guineas
Kieren Fallon will miss the Guineas meeting at Newmarket later this month - despite being partially successful in his appeal against a 10-day riding suspension.
The jockey was originally sidelined between April 27-May 6 after the local stewards found him guilty of not riding out to the winning line aboard Sukhothai in a handicap at Kempton on April 13.
Fallon had his appeal heard at British Horseracing Authority headquarters this morning and although the disciplinary panel downgraded his suspension from 10 days to seven, he will be banned from April 27-May 3.
The news confirms Fallon misses the ride on Ed Dunlop’s big Qipco 2000 Guineas hope Native Khan, whom he guided to an impressive comeback victory in the Craven Stakes.
Speaking on his Twitter page, BHA head of communications Paul Struthers confirmed: “Appeal upheld in part – downgraded to ’could’ have been placed 2nd.
“Suspension down as a result from 10 days to 7, 27th to 3rd.”
Fallon’s lawyer Rory Mac Neice was disappointed the suspension was only partly upheld, but feels the fact the ban was reduced justifies Fallon’s decision to challenge the suspension, and it does allow him to ride at the three days of the Chester Cup meeting.
“I haven’t been able to speak to Kieren as he left before the decision was made to take up his rides at Folkestone, but personally, I’m disappointed we didn’t get the entirety of the suspension lifted,” said Mac Neice.
“But clearly, the three days they have taken off demonstrates Kieren was right to ask the panel to review it.
“It also allows him to ride at Chester, which is great, but nevertheless, he will be unable to ride in the Guineas.”
Dunlop paraded Native Khan at La Grange Stables today and believes the grey has taken another step forward since his victory in the Craven, although riding plans remain undecided.
“No decision about the jockey will be made until I’ve had a discussion with the owner about what he wants to do,” Dunlop said.
“The owner requested Kieren and if we can’t have him, then we will find someone else.”
Dunlop reported his once-beaten three-year-old to be progressing nicely towards the Guineas.
He said: “He’s in good nick. I said beforehand that the race (Craven) would do him the world of good and he has progressed a lot from it.
“One thing in his favour is that he likes fast ground, which he should get, and the likelihood there will be a pacemaker will help him too.
“We are taking on one of the best three-year-olds we could have seen in recent years in Frankel, and there are two very good Irish horses too in Roderic O’Connor and Pathfork. But we’re in very good form and we’ll see what happens.”
