Fallon responds with Haydock double

Kieren Fallon, who has recently lost the rides for two major owners, answered his critics in double style with victories on Medallist and Beauchamp Pilot at Haydock Park today.

The four-times champion jockey showed his confidence has not been dented, producing Medallist with a good run to lead over a furlong out and then keeping him going well to hold off Dryden House by three quarters of a length.

Fallon was very relaxed about news and is determined to hold on to the jockeys` title.

He said: 'I will still be in there fighting and riding the best I can for anyone who wants to put me up.

'I have always maintained that only reason I have won the championship over the years is because I have a very good agent in David Pollington and I still maintain that - so if I don`t win it again I will blame him!'

Medallist is trained by Sir Michael Stoute for his owner/breeder Cheveley Park Stud, whose managing director Chris Richardson was quick give his vote of confidence to Fallon, explaining: 'We have been very satisfied with Kieren, he rode Medicean for us last year.

'We have our horses with 10 trainers so there is a lot of scope, we always use the best available, and if Kieren is available we would always want him to ride for us.'

And of Medallist he added: 'He did it very well, he is still a baby and we were very conscious of the ground, he wants some cut. Kieren said he did it well too, but we have no firm plans, we wanted to see how he went today.'

Beauchamp Pilot was making his seasonal debut in the Fauls Green Stakes (Showcase Handicap), but despite the steadier of 10st he scored decisively, and though there were no immediate plans the Royal Hunt Cup would seem a likely target.

The four-year-old is owned by Erik Penser, who said: 'It is nice for Gerard to have another winner here, Beauchamp King gave him his first success as a trainer in a Listed race here four year ago. I have 15 horses with him and we are looking forward to the summer.'

Pat Eddery took the other division of the maiden event, giving the Barry Hills-trained Totem Pole a splendid front-running ride and the colt`s owner Guy Reed said afterwards: 'He really cantered in, it is the first time he has made the running - he did not get a good run at Newmarket last time but ran well first-time out.'

Brantwood looked the pick of the paddock before the Astley Green Maiden Stakes, and he came out best in the race itself, running out a length winner in the hands of Willie Supple.

Having cost Ir45,000gns, Brantwood is one of the more expensive youngsters McMahon has had in his yard, and he explained: 'He is a nice horse, he is a half-brother to Seraphina who finished second in the Lowther Stakes at York and fourth in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket.'

David Evans saddled two in the Bickershaw Maiden Claiming Stakes but they did not finish as he expected, Jessie MacDougall running out a half-length winner in the hands of in-form apprentice Paul Hanagan, while stable companion Little Louis was only fifth.

Evans explained ruefully: 'I think Little Loius was made too much use of in the strong winds and the other outstayed him.'

Alec Stewart`s good run continued when Ribblesdale Stakes entry Tawoos took the Lady Hill Maiden Fillies` Stakes under Richard Hills, while Richard Hughes brought the Stoute-trained Leadership home in front in the Golborne Rated Stakes.