Fallon shines on Medicean

Kieren Fallon came the full circle from career-threatening injury to life-affirming triumph when Medicean won the opening race at Royal Ascot today.

At this meeting last year the former triple champion jockey suffered a fall that threatened the use of his left arm.

He was then at the height of his powers - the four winners he partnered in two days of the 2000 Royal Meeting were enough to crown him its leading jockey from his hospital bed.

It's been a slow return but Fallon has been back to his brilliant best for some weeks. On Medicean, he seized a gap on the rails and powered his mount through to settle the contest in a matter of strides.

In the feature St James's Palace Stakes, Johnny Murtagh - the jockey who benefited most from Fallon's absence last season - won his second Group One event on Black Minnaloushe with a tremendous late rush.