Baker salutes National hero Fallon
George Baker felt Kieren Fallon made all the difference as National Hope scored a second career success in the Best Offers At JustBookies.com Handicap at Folkestone.
Fallon has thrown his hat into the ring for the championship battle this season and began the day on 102 winners for the year, 13 behind leader and defending champion Paul Hanagan.
The six-times title holder wasted little time in getting off the mark for the day, as he assumed his customary drive position aboard Baker’s 4-1 chance to seal a neck success over Links Drive Lady.
Baker said: “She wasn’t really travelling that well, but the man on top is not for giving up is he? It was fantastic to have Kieren and he made a difference.
“She injured herself very badly two days before she was due to make a debut as a two-year-old. The owners had to be patient with her. She ran well at Lingfield (on her debut) but then things have not gone her way.
“We have been a bit easier on her. She’s spent a lot of time in the paddock and she has thrived for it.”
Red Hearts and Jimmy Quinn foiled Fallon’s hopes of a quickfire double as they landed a cosy victory in the JustBookies.com Selling Stakes.
Fallon had 6-4 favourite Courtland King in pole position a furlong but Quinn weaved his way to the outside to swoop late and fast for a three-quarter-length verdict.
Fallon again had to settle for second as Red Current proved a shade too strong for his mount Dr Finley in the Free Bets At JustBookies.com Handicap.
That pair settled down to slug it out inside the distance and despite Fallon’s best efforts, Red Current (6-1) emerged a head superior.
To add insult to injury for the rider, he was banned for one day (September 14) for using his whip with excessive frequency.
Fallon made a bold bid from the front aboard Whispered in the closing Claim Your Bonuses At JustBookies.com Maiden Stakes but 11-4 favourite Protaras was a neck too good.
Fallon was not the only rider to fall foul of the stewards, with Quinn also being banned for the same day for the same offence on Red Hearts.
Eddie Creighton was also handed a five-day suspension (September 14-18 inclusive) after being found guilty of causing interference aboard fourth-placed Anginola in an eventful race.
Simon Dow is hoping Fair Value (4-1) can notch a swift double after an easy success in the JustBookies.com Handicap.
The three-year-old was having just her sixth start but supplemented her Lingfield maiden win back in March with a stylish performance under Neil Callan.
Firmly in command in the five-furlong heat, she pulled four and a half lengths clear of Go Nani Go at the finish with favourite Miss Chamanda third.
“She did it in good style and she’s won very easily,” said Dow. “I think the key issue was a return to a faster surface. She likes the fast ground and a sharp track.
“We’re going to go home and have a look and see what the rest of the season might hold for her. She’s an all-weather winner as well so those quick tracks on quick ground will be what we are looking at.
“I think we’ll look at getting her out under a penalty.”
Passing Stranger was sent off the 1-5 favourite for the JustBookies.com Maiden Stakes but had to work very hard to land the odds by a nose.
