Fallon nearing comeback As the countdown begins in earnest to the return of Kieren Fallon, the six-times champion jockey is considering the options for the scene of his eagerly-awaited comeback ride. Fallon's well-publicised problems should be replaced by headlines of a much better kind on Friday week, the date he begins the latest phase of an eventful career following an 18-month suspension imposed by the French authorities after he tested positive for a prohibited substance. Catterick, Chepstow, plus the all-weather meetings at Lingfield and in the evening at Kempton, provide the fare on September 4 before bigger fixtures - and rides - come thick and fast. Fallon said: "Unfortunately the meetings that we have are not the ones I would have chosen myself, we might have to go to Wales (Chepstow) and I haven't ridden on the all-weather at Kempton yet, so that will be an unknown. "Catterick would really sharpen you up. I actually love riding around Catterick, it sharpens you up. You have to be on the ball." Catterick's clerk of the course and general manager Fiona Needham would be "delighted" if Fallon does make the journey to North Yorkshire on Friday week and believes it would be a massive result for the venue. "We'd be delighted if he came here as obviously there are a lot of people looking forward to him coming back and it would be a great boost for the racecourse," said Needham. "He's acknowledged as one of the best horseman around so it could be potentially fantastic news. "He's going to go where the rides are to be perfectly honest, but we would obviously be delighted if he came here. We'll have to keep our fingers crossed." Chepstow's clerk of the course Tim Long would love to see the six-time champion jockey make his comeback in Monmouthshire, but admits there is little he can do to enhance the racecourse's chances. "We'd be overjoyed if Chepstow was where he was being routed to as any sport needs that sort of talent and it only enriches the sport," said Long. "There is nothing we can do really and it's all down to where his agent gets him on. "I've always found him to be a very professional jockey when you have any dealings with him and personally, I welcome his return." Kempton stage a conditions event on their evening card and director of racing Barney Clifford would also be more than happy to welcome Fallon to the fixture. "Of course it would be great if he came but I don't know what his plans are," said Clifford. "We've a good quality couple of days here actually and he'd be very welcome. "If he came here that could only help us and we look forward to it if he does decide to come here."
