York stewards administered a sharp shock to Kieren Fallon yesterday after the champion jockey had turned on the power. Fallon was hit with a three-day suspension after a lively performance to deliver Bawsian a half-length winner over Rafaello in the Shepherd Trophy.

The stewards decided that he was guilty of irresponsible riding for interfering with the unplaced Last Christmas. But the offence was classed as minor irresponsible riding, allowing Bawsian to keep the race.

Bawsian had appeared to blot his copybook when fourth at Chester last week after winning his first three races of the season. But trainer Les Eyre said: "He beat all the fancied horses at Chester and the three that finished ahead of him are probably all well-handicapped horses.

"This horse is tough as a teak but it's a big help having a strong jockey like Fallon to make his mind up for him."

Fallon had earlier shown his strength when teeing up a double on Largesse in the Yorkshire Life Magazine Handicap. He was kept up to his work in the closing to repel the favourite Crystal Falls by three-parts of a length.

Crystal Falls, providing 12-horse trainer John Berry with the biggest success of his career, is a possible for the Ebor back at York in August provided the ground is not too firm.

Fallon was expected to make it a hat-trick on the odds-on Midnight Line in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, but had to settle for second behind Bahr, whose victory increased the possibility of Cape Verdi challenging for the Derby.

But though the Godolphin team immediately committed the exBarry Hills trained filly to the big race, for which she is on offer at 4 to 1, options remain open for stablemate Cape Verdi, the brilliant winner of the 1,000 Guineas.

Racing manager Simon Crisford said both fillies could line up in the Oaks or Cape Verdi could be aimed at the Derby but a decision did not need to be made until May 30th, the supplementary entry deadline for the colt's Classic.

Bahr came to York with plenty of stable confidence behind her having chased home Cape Verdi in the trials held by Godolphin before the team left Dubai.

Frankie Dettori only needed to push her out to gain a neck victory over Midnight Line, who was conceding 2lb to her rival.

But he indicated he would be hard-pressed to choose between Bahr, "a little thing with a big engine" who had been working "like a bomb", and Cape Verdi if they were to oppose each other at Epsom.

"They both worked together in the trial in Dubai and Cape Verdi beat her by about two and a half lengths," he said.

Whatever Godolphin decide Midnight Line, a best-priced 9 to 2, remains on target for the Oaks despite yesterday's defeat.

Trainer Henry Cecil said: "There was not much of a pace and it was only when Frankie came at her she picked up. She didn't want to do it in front. She was looking around and needed company. But I'm quite happy about the way she has run."