Fallon draws a blank onhis return to racing
KIEREN FALLON had seven rides but failed to land a winner on on his first day back racing in nearly two years.
His final chance of the day was aboard the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Bugaku in the 1m3f handicap at Kempton but the 3-1 shot failed to make an impression and finished down the field.
The six time former champion had earlier got to work on the Gerald Butler-trained Arte Viva two furlongs from home and the 9-4 shot responded well, but failed to catch impressive 11-8 winner Eolith. He finished third on his first ride at Kempton aboard Wigan Lane.
Summingup his return to race riding Fallon said: "I was surprised quite how fit I was and it's just about getting used to the pace of racing again.
"It wasn't the plan to go to Haydock on no winners as I would have like to have got a winner today and get it over with."
Kempton managing director Amy Starkey said the crowd was 'marginally' higher than normal. "We had a crowd of 1,200 tonight," she said. "I walked around and spoke to several racegoers who said they were here to see Kieren riding and there was a nice atmosphere about the place."
Earlier in the day, Fallon drew a blank from his four rides at Lingfield.
Watched by 1,450 racegoers - 600 more than Lingfield would have expected but for Fallon's appearance - and scores of journalists, the 44-year-old rode competitively for the first time since October 7, 2007, when teaming up with the Amy Weaver-trained Rare Malt in Lingfield's opening maiden. But Hayley Turner had failed to read the script and steered home 20-1 shot Mr Mahoganeigh to beat Rare Malt into second. Fallon then finished fourth, fifth and eighth on his remaining Lingfield rides.
Listed as K Fallon in the racecard - during his time on the sidelines most jockeys have opted to use their full christian names - the presence triple Derby hero boosted betting activity with Tote on-course business 46 per cent better than for the same card in 2008.
After his first race, Fallon said: "I felt good but obviously a bit nervous coming in. I just wanted to get back on a horse on the track again. I've ridden work at Southwell and Newmarket and ridden racecourse gallops, but it's not the same as putting on your silks, getting on a different saddle and using different muscles.
"It doesn't seem as if anything has changed in the weighing room and the boys are still doing their own thing. There are a few new faces in there, people I wouldn't have ridden with before, but although people are close in the weighing room, on the track we're individuals."
Read Saturday's Racing Post for full coverage of Kieren Fallon's comeback, including Lee Mottershead's take on a big day for racing - or buy the newspaper online as a PDF from 9am
For a unique insight on the controversial former champion, click here to buy 'Fallon: The Biography' by Andrew Longmore from the online shop
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