GERARD BUTLER believes the return of Kieren Fallon will be beneficial for racing when the six-times champion makes his comeback from an 18-month suspension on Friday.
The Newmarket trainer has been delighted to have Fallon riding out for him over the past few months, and happy to have the chance to give him a couple of rides at Kempton’s evening meeting on his first day back.
“All being well Kieren will be on duty for us on Friday,” said Butler. “He’s on the two-year-old newcomer Arte Viva for us then an old horse called Jadelee in the two-mile race.
“It’s very good for racing. It’s been doom and gloom with prize money, but with Kieren coming back now it will ignite things. We need superstars very, very badly.
“Please God he gets back into a groove and by the end of the season he will show us what we have missed for the last couple of years.
“I hope it all goes well for him. I’m sure he’ll be quite apprehensive and nervous going into the (first) race, but within four or five minutes after it I think it will be as though he’s never been away. It’s very important he’s back.
“He’s been very busy. There are a lot trainers at Newmarket and thankfully he’s offered his services to us as well. He rode work this morning, during the week and he rides out again in the morning. It’s been an on-going thing for quite a few months now. Luca Cumani has first call, then Ed Dunlop and then we will use him as much as we can.”
Fallon’s ban was imposed by the French authorities after he tested positive for a prohibited substance. He could return at Lingfield’s Friday afternoon fixture as he has been pencilled in the ride on the Dunlop-trained Thin Red Line in the Felbridge Handicap.
As well as Butler’s duo at Kempton he is down to partner Kahail for Debbie Mountain, Pictures for Cumani and Bugaku for his former boss Michael Stoute.
On Saturday, Fallon is likely to have his first high-profile mount back when he teams up with Wokingham winner High Standing for trainer William Haggas in the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.
“On Saturday we’re heading to Haydock for High Standing. I believe he is going to run so we’re heading there,” said Fallon’s agent Dave Pollington.
Christophe Lemaire remains keen on the chances of Stacelita as she continues her preparation for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Jean-Claude Rouget’s filly is unbeaten in five starts and was last seen annihilating her rivals in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.
While Lemaire admits cut in the ground is the filly’s preference, he does not see it as essential and is hoping she can continue on her winning run in next month’s Prix Vermeille.
“We are very keen on her and all the Rouget team like her very much,” Lemaire said.
“She’s a very easy filly and a very good galloping horse. She can adapt herself on the ground and for the moment she has done the job we have asked her to do . . . we hope that she will continue to improve.”
