18+ | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

FALLON PIPPED ON HIS RETURN

Kieren Fallon ended nine months of frustration today at Wolverhampton and insisted he never had any thoughts of quitting the saddle.

The three-time champion`s hopes of winning on his first ride in Britain since injuring his left shoulder last June were thwarted when Wintertide was beaten a head in the Henry Royce Maiden Stakes.

But the jockey was all smiles after dismounting and said: 'The idea was to just enjoy myself today and I`ve done that.

'It`s taken longer than I thought it would to come back but it never crossed my mind that my career was over.

'I`ve had to wait for the nerves in my shoulder to grow back into the muscle.

'I have been riding since November and I`m as fit as I can be riding twice a week on dirt.

'But it`s a different ball game on grass and I`ll be sharper in a few weeks.'