KIEREN FALLON has been booked to ride Godolphin’s Al Zir in Saturday’s Investec Derby at Epsom.
The six-times champion and three-times Derby winner looked set to be without a ride as his retained trainer Luca Cumani does not have a runner while he was unlikely to pick up another spare ride for former boss Aidan O’Brien.
Fallon rode one of the Ballydoyle outsiders, Viscount Nelson, in the 2000 Guineas earlier this year but with O’Brien’s options decreasing, Godolphin have swooped to secure his services. Al Zir finished ninth in the Guineas and with Frankie Dettori aboard first-choice Rewilding and Ahmed Ajtebi on the surprise supplementary entry Buzzword, the Racing Post Trophy third will have Fallon’s assistance in the saddle.
“Kieren Fallon’s record in the Derby is excellent,” Crisford said.
“He was available and has ridden for Godolphin before.”
Al Zir finished third in last year’s Racing Post Trophy and is as big as 33-1 for Derby glory.
Fallon’s Derby wins came on Oath, Kris Kin and North Light.
Jan Vermeer has hardened as favourite for Saturday's Classic after St Nicholas Abbey, his stablemate and long-time market leader, was ruled out of the race. The impressive Gallinule Stakes winner is 13-8 with totesport, having leapt to the head of the betting at around 2-1 even before the announcement after a prolonged gamble over the last few days.
CHRIS WRIGHT’S NAP: He’s Invincible (8.50pm Kempton Park).
