3 minute read

Another big Saturday winner for rising star of the weighing room

Cieren Fallon landed the big handicap of the day on successive Saturdays when Oxted  came with a late rattle to win the William Hill Portland at Doncaster.

On the back of winning the Old Borough Cup at Haydock last weekend with Time To Study, this time it was all about speed over the unique distance of five and a half furlongs.

Fallon, son of six-times champion jockey Kieren, is on the verge of being crowned champion apprentice this season and looks to have a very bright future.

A Momentofmadness made a bold bid to win for the second year in a row under William Buick, but Fallon timed his challenge to perfection on the 14-1 chance trained by Roger Teal, who had returned to form when second last time out.

Oxted came clear to win by a cosy half-length from A Momentofmadness, with Show Stealer third.

Fallon said: "We jumped well, we took a nice lead and I pulled him out and he quickened lovely. He finished second at Newmarket and was very unlucky, so we were always confident going into the race. If he got a nice clear run, we knew he'd be thereabouts.

"It's brilliant, this is what it's all about, the big days like this on TV, and I'm lucky to be on a horse like this that can take me into the race."

Teal said: "He's a lovely horse. I trained his mum (Charlotte Rosina), she was a nice sprint mare. Obviously the boys put her to Mayson and he's the result.

"We always think he wants soft ground because his mum loved soft ground, but all his best form is on the top of the ground for some reason.

"We came here with high hopes, I was reading the stats and three-year-olds have got a bad rep in this race, so I was panicking then. But no, fair play, he's put it right."

The Napoleons Casinos & Restaurants Nursery Handicap Stakes went the way of 9-1 shot Lucander, piloted by Rob Hornby.

Running over a mile trip, Ralph Beckett's gelding propelled past the field on the outside of the track and eventually prevailed by half a length from Wild Thunder.

"He's a grand, honest sort of horse," said Beckett.

"He looks like a greyhound, but he thrives on work. He was an expensive yearling, so it's a shame his owners aren't here. I was actually going to Chester, but got stuck in traffic so I was rerouted – maybe that was an omen.

"He's not a horse who knocks himself out, so there's probably a bit more left.

"We should have a bit more fun with him, if you look at him he's a light-framed horse. He's got plenty of bone, so he should do well from two to three."

Qaysar (13-8) provided Richard Hannon and Pat Dobbs with a Doncaster double when winning the PJ Towey Construction Ltd Handicap ahead of 11-8 favourite Bayroot.

The four-year-old Choisir gelding, owned by Al Shaqab Racing, posted his fourth win of the season in the one-mile contest.

"He was bought by Ross Doyle in the French breeze ups, he cost a bit of money but he just tries," said Hannon.

"You'll think he's not the best mover, but he digs and he's your friend.

"He's a very good horse on his day and he's creeping up the handicap, I think the handicapper has him all right. I don't think he could put him up after that.

"He's obviously Listed class. I always thought he was, he's just taken a bit of time to get there. I wish we had a few more like him, four races in a year and he's not done yet."