Fallon Powers To Group One Glory

Kieren Fallon served notice of his return to the big time when landing a first Group One of the season aboard Mountain High in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France.

The 42-year-old returned to the saddle less than a month ago following a six-month suspension handed out by the French authorities last December after testing positive for a metabolite of a prohibited substance.

But despite his chequered past, few can question the brilliance of Fallon, who was this time seen to great effect on Sir Michael Stoute´s charge.

Settled just off the pace in the early stages, Fallon asked Mountain High to quicken with two furlongs to run and quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals.

Odds-on favourite Mandesha was sent in pursuit by Christophe Soumillon, but the filly could never quite get on terms with the winner.

The Irishman last enjoyed Group One success on Holy Roman Emperor when Aidan O´Brien´s sharp colt won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) at Longchamp in October 2006.

Fallon returned to the saddle on June 7 and made his first ride back on The Bogberry a winning one at Tipperary.

But despite being able to ride in Ireland and France, he is currently banned from riding in Britain as he has been charged with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers.

Sent off at odds of 7-1, the Coolmore-owned Mountain High was touched off in the Hardwicke Stakes by Maraahel at Royal Ascot last year and has been handed a 16-1 quote by William Hill for the Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.

Coral Pritchard-Gordon, Sir Michael Stoute´s representative, said of the length-and-a-half winner: 'We were hopeful, but not confident, that the horse would run a great race.

'Sir Michael gave him some work last week and he was quite impressed with him and thought he had improved a lot over the spring.

'The fact that Coolmore own him and a lot of other horses who may be aimed at the same races mean we are unsure of future plans at the minute.

'There will no doubt be a discussion with them to decide where he goes.'

Alain de Royer-Dupre revealed runner-up Mandesha has yet to come to herself this season.

'After her last run she has not come back to her best yet and she doesn´t sparkle in her morning work like she used to last year,' he said.

'The lack of pace didn´t help but also she was not trying her best and she is not yet at the same level she was at last year.

'To tell the truth, I was worried that she would run worse than that so I can see signs that she will come back to her best later on.

'Don´t forget that last year she was at her best from August onwards.'

(C) PA Sport