Hard to keep Fallon out of news

Riding in Britain may be beyond the pale for Kieren Fallon at the moment but within the pale at Leopardstown last evening the…

Riding in Britain may be beyond the pale for Kieren Fallon at the moment but within the pale at Leopardstown last evening the beleaguered former champion jockey was in sparkling form aboard Chanting in the Silver Flash Stakes.

Fallon teamed up with trainer David Wachman for the well-backed favourite who took a little time to hit top gear in the six-furlong Listed event but eventually powered clear of Miss Beatrix to secure a valuable victory.

"She's a big girl, a nice filly who will be better once she goes a bit further, and she is a valuable daughter of Danehill now," said Wachman, who will take his time before deciding on a next target for Chanting. "It's 10 days to the Debutante Stakes here and she could run in that. But there are loads of races for a filly like her."

There also seemed to be loads of opportunities for Declan McDonogh last night and the jockey made the most of them with a fine treble that wound up with the English raider, Foreign Affairs, running the opposition ragged in the Listed Challenge Stakes. Michael Kinane's mount Mkuzi tried to close the gap in the straight, but the Mark Prescott-trained winner would not be passed.

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Dimenticata ran into a smart colt in Whatsthescript at Roscommon 10 days ago but the Kevin Prendergast-trained filly made it third time lucky with a well-supported success in the mile maiden under the in-form McDonogh.

Shamardal's half sister Diamond Necklace was weak in the market and ran a never dangerous sixth. In contrast, Dimenticata powered clear for a four-length victory that earned her a Curragh ticket for a Moyglare warm-up on Phoenix Stakes day.

The Lady O'Reilly colours were also successful for McDonogh in the nine-furlong handicap with the improving Medico who won at the track for the third time. "He likes it here, but he is a Dub!" said trainer Eddie Lynam. "He is very laid back. Lady O'Reilly was in the yard at 11.30 this morning and he was still asleep. But he is some improving horse."

Fallon's High Court appeal against the ban that prevents him riding in Britain will be heard in London next Thursday. The hearing will be held on the same day as the final 48-hour declaration stage of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in which Fallon still hopes to ride the favourite, Hurricane Run.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column