Eagle Set To Soar

Kieren Fallon believes Eagle Mountain is ready to put in another big performance in the Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.

Aidan O´Brien´s charge was second to Authorized in the Vodafone-sponsored English equivalent earlier in the month when partnered by Johnny Murtagh.

And Fallon, who has ridden the son of Rock Of Gibraltar in his work at Ballydoyle, has been quietly impressed with what he has seen.

'Eagle Mountain did his final piece of work yesterday and worked well, although he doesn´t do a whole lot at home,' he said.

'His form is solid and, when he won the Beresford Stakes, we knew he was our Derby horse.

'His run in the Derby was great and he was beaten by one of the best winners we´ve seen for a while,' he told the Racing Post.

'After Authorized went on, he was ridden for second and that run will have stood him in good stead.'

Fallon is anticipating a positive show from Oaks runner-up Peeping Fawn, who also tackles Group One company on the Saturday.

'I also have Peeping Fawn in the Pretty Polly and would be very hopeful, as she´s a lovely filly,' he added.

Fallon was back in the big time on Sunday after driving the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mountain High to victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

After his first Group One success since last October, Fallon is now hungry for more.

'I´ve certainly got my confidence back after that,' he said. 'I didn´t have before the race.'

(C) PA Sport