RACING/Epsom Derby: Kieren Fallon has yet to decide which Aidan O'Brien-trained colt he will ride in Saturday's Vodafone Derby but it has been confirmed that former Ballydoyle number one Michael Kinane is on standby to take up the reins on a Fallon discard.
Kinane split from O'Brien in a surprise move at the end of the 2003 season, a controversial decision that brought to an end almost five years of unbroken success and one of the most lucrative link-ups in modern racing history.
He hasn't teamed up with the champion trainer since then but the Ballydoyle team have come calling again as they are set to have four runners in the Derby and Kinane has also been booked to ride O'Brien's Silk And Scarlet in Friday's Oaks.
Aidan O'Brien indicated yesterday that he will leave four of his seven entries in the Derby at today's forfeit stage. The quartet are Gypsy King, Oratorio, Almighty and Grand Central.
"They have another bit to do and it will be Tuesday or Wednesday before we know who is on what," said O'Brien, who also said that Jimmy Fortune is another jockey waiting to team up with one of his Derby hopes.
Fallon will be on board the Guineas winner Virginia Waters in the Oaks with Kinane on Silk And Scarlet and John Murtagh riding the outsider Mona Lisa. Ballydoyle's Group One team for Epsom will be completed by Yeats in Friday's Coronation Cup.
The only major decision now appears to rest on Fallon's pick as he goes in search of third consecutive success in the Derby. The choice appears to lie between the Irish Guineas runner-up Oratorio and the Chester winner Gypsy King but the jockey is still playing his cards close to his chest.
"Oratorio ran a good race at Newmarket and was running on when second to Dubawi at the Curragh. He seems to be going the right way," he said. "Gypsy King is a horse I like and he has improved since Chester."
Bookmakers are anxiously waiting on Fallon's choice and there is sure to be a major shake up in the market which ever horse he plumps for.
"It could mean the horse he picks being cut a point and a half or two points," said a Paddy Power spokesman yesterday. "Fallon has to be factored in. We saw the money that came for Oratorio last week when it emerged he might ride him."
Oratorio is now a general 6 to 1 shot for the Derby with Gypsy King at 7 to 1 but whichever way Fallon goes, Kinane looks sure to pick up an excellent "spare" as he searches for his own third success in the Derby.
Kinane won the 2001 Derby on the O'Brien colt Galileo and elected to ride Hawk Wing who finished runner-up to his stable companion High Chaparral the following year. He was also twice successful in the Oaks for O'Brien with Shahtoush (1998) and Imagine (2001.)
There are no such puzzles at Ballinrobe this evening but David Wachman, who has Fracas for the Derby, does send Pixie Dust to Mayo for the maiden hurdle and this one's last run at Killarney looked promising enough for this company.
Ger Lyons has won the opening auction maiden in two of the last three years but his hope this time, Key Question, could have to give best to Bye Bye Ben.
The forecast ground of "soft" will be ideal for Kilmannin who has been in good form this season while Dr Julian looks the most likely of the Michael Hourigan duo in the Beginners Chase.
