Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Racing: Fallon frustrated on Catcher In The Rye

Monday 12 May 2003 00:00 BST
Comments

On a poor afternoon for British and Irish challengers at Longchamp yesterday, Chris-tophe Soumillon rode a Group One treble including the French 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas.

Only Aidan O'Brien's Catcher In The Rye threatened to stop Soumillon in the 2,000 but Kieren Fallon's mount, running green, challenged too late to reach Clodovil, trained by André Fabre who went on to complete a Classic double when Soumillon's late burst on Musical Chimes took the 1,000.

Behind Clodovil, O'Brien's first-string, France, ridden by Michael Kinane, finished fourth with David Loder's Desert Destiny in fifth. Frankie Dettori on Godolphin's Bourbonnais failed to figure, while Gerard Butler's Elusive City faded out of contention. Catcher In The Rye may be aimed next at the Irish 2,000 Guineas, or the Derby.

Soumillon had earlier taken the Group One Prix Lupin on the unbeaten Dalakhani, beating Super Celebre with O'Brien's Alberto Giacometti in third. Godolphin's Derby hope New South Wales was the disappointment of the race, finishing sixth of the seven runners.

O'Brien said from Ireland: "Alberto Giacometti made a lot of improvement today. He didn't get the luck in the race but he has improved again and I'd say he is still a possible for Epsom, as is Hold That Tiger, who didn't run his true race at Newmarket. He is on a break now but it is possible he will go for the Derby. Just in the last few days they are starting to run well again."

Inquiry into Kentucky Derby

Officials at Churchill Downs have launched an inquiry into Funny Cide's win in last weekend's Kentucky Derby. They are to look at whether the winning rider, Jose Santos, carried an illegal device in his hand.

"We are just gathering information at this point," said the chief steward, Bernie Hettel, after being alerted by a press photographer. Barclay Tagg, Funny Cide's trainer, said: "It's absurd. How could any rider ride the stretch drive he rode switching the stick back and forth carrying a joint [electrical device] back and forth?"

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in