Fallon assaulted after race as owner sees red

KIEREN Fallon found himself reluctantly involved in fresh controversy at the weekend when the former champion jockey was assaulted by the owner of a rival horse in a fracas at Lingfield Park.

The unseemly incident, which has been reported to the British Horseracing Authority, happened when Fallon was unsaddling from his mount Elna Bright.

The 5-1 chance had finished last of ten after being struck into by another horse early on and losing his action.

The incident in the unsaddling enclosure involved David Reynolds, the joint-owner of 3-1 favourite The Scorching Wind, who finished second last after struggling in the rear throughout.

Elna Bright's owner Peter Crate said: "He (Reynolds] came at Fallon like a whirlwind and struck him on the side of the face. I got in there with (trainer] Brett Johnson and he caught me too, before the racecourse security stepped in."

Part of the stewards' inquiry report read: "It had been alleged that David Reynolds, the part owner of The Scorching Wind, had assaulted Fallon and Crate and been involved in a fracas with Johnson. The stewards subsequently called before them Reynolds, who admitted to assaulting Fallon and being involved in a fracas with Crate and Johnson.

"Having heard evidence from the various parties, the stewards referred the matter to the British Horseracing Authority."

Fallon, 45, who returned to race riding only last September after serving an 18-month drugs ban, played down the incident, saying: "Unfortunately, you are not able to retaliate, but I used to do some boxing in my younger days and I know how to defend myself.

"Luckily he has been escorted out and we can move on. He needs to take some boxing lessons anyway."

A colleague of Reynolds, who refused to be named, said: "I have known him for many years and it's totally out of character. He just said that the red mist suddenly descended."

On the track, Henry Cecil's Tranquil Tiger enjoyed his first Group 3 victory in the sportingbet Supports Heroes Winter Derby.

Meanwhile, Blacks Bridge can gain a third successive victory over fences in the Princess Royal Trust For Carers Handicap Chase at Kelso today.

The seven-year-old has rested on his laurels since chalking up wins at Catterick and Newcastle in midwinter but trainer Howard Johnson is now ready to take the wraps off his Turtle Island gelding.

The horse has taken a hike in the weights but he could still be one step ahead of the handicapper and the odds are he could still be on the upgrade as he has few miles on the clock.

Pillar Of Hercules ran his best race for a while when fourth here last time and gets the vote in the Ron Mitchell Birthday Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old won twice over timber in Ireland before joining Ferdy Murphy but his first four runs offered little encouragement. However, he was not disgraced on his latest appearance, his first in five months, and better can be expected this time.

Sirkeel has showed encouraging signs in two runs since returning from a three-month break and can gain a first career success in the Lyntoun Private Hire Handicap Hurdle. There was a lot to like about his third over the course two weeks ago and trainer James Ewart is sure to have him spot on as he chases his first win at the 14th attempt.