KIEREN FALLON SADDLES UP

KIEREN FALLON'S 18-month worldwide ban comes to an end when he returns to the saddle on Friday - hopefully with a back cleared of monkeys and the old demons strictly under lock and key.

Itching to get going or, as the Irish would say, "mad for the road" it looks as if Fallon will have a major new ally in the shape of Luca Cumani, for whom he has been riding out all summer.

Indeed Fallon was on Cumani's star two-year-old Seta, second favourite for the 1,000 Guineas, when the filly worked at Newmarket yesterday.

Cumani said: "I will be using Kieren when he returns. I am not ruling out a more formal arrangement, but I haven't had a chance to speak to all of my owners about it as yet."

There are ordinary jockeys who are good work riders and there are great jockeys who are no use at all on the gallops.

But Fallon is that rarity, an exceptional jockey who is worth my weight in gold as horses are educated, conditioned and brought to their peak at home.

He thinks about what he is doing and has that indefinable feel for a horse that can neither be bought not taught. Cumani (right) has clearly been impressed with what Fallon has added and now wants to extend their collaboration to the racecourse.

It is the way he talks about horses and conveys exactly what it is like to be in the saddle on each one individually that is so valuable to a trainer.

Sir Michael Stoute has long valued Fallon's expertise and now Luca has come under the spell.

It emerged this week that, since July 23, Fallon has been tested for drugs on no less than 12 occasions with all of them returning negative. You could hardly accuse the British Horseracing Authority of leaving anything to chance.

In recent weeks Falon has understandably mounted a carefully orchestrated charm offensive ahead of his comeback. Those close to him insist he is fitter than ever and he will be starving for success.

His return will certainly shake up the weighing room where he regards himself as very much the kingpin. But some of his rivals will be wanting to make the point that the world has moved on in the last 18 months. The end of the Flat season might be sparky.

Read Alastair Down in the Racing Post every week

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