Fallon back for a brief encounter

Kieren Fallon, desperate to make up for lost time and upstage Johnny Murtagh, who swept all before him when deputising as Michael Stoute's stable rider while Fallon was out through serious injury, has returned to Newmarket for a lightning visit.

Fallon, who survived a near career-ending fall at Royal Ascot last June, has been riding in Dubai this winter and his badly hurt shoulder has been getting stronger all the time.

Stoute said: "Kieren arrived for a quick visit. He will be back riding in Dubai tomorrow. He has ridden seven winners from about 20 rides and it is going well for him."

Fallon was on the Newmarket gallops again this morning after yesterday riding Petrushka for the first time since they finished fourth in the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom last season. He also partnered possible United Arab Emirates Derby entry No Excuse Needed in some gentle exercise.

Following Epsom, Petrushka went on to take the Irish Oaks at the Curragh without Fallon's assistance plus the Yorkshire Oaks and Longchamp's Prix de l'Opera, all with Murtagh in the saddle. Murtagh also cleaned up more Group One wins for Stoute on Kalanisi in the Dubai Champion Stakes and the crowning Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs, plus the Racing Post Trophy on Dilshaan.

Stoute is setting up a raid on the Dubai World Cup meeting at Nad Al Sheba on 24 March, with Petrushka having the option of the £4.2million World Cup on dirt or the Sheema Classic on turf.