Fallon delights his followers

Jockey Kieran Fallon made a rare visit to Dundalk when he partnered Marco Botti's English raider Gitano Hernando to victory in the valuable feature, the Group 3 Diamond Stakes. It was Fallon's first winner at the track

Fallon, on board the 9/10 favourite, won a shade cosily by a neck from Wade Giles but it wasn't all plain sailing as the jockey explained: "He got his act together today but I was worried for a while waiting for a split.

"The Champion Stakes would be a great race to win but of course it is dependent on the ground."

Trainer Botti confirmed that his colt would not want the ground too soft and that the Champion Stakes and Breeders Cup are on the agenda.

He found time to praise Fallon and Dundalk racetrack. He said: "Kieran is a great jockey. He doesn't need instructions. This is my first time at Dundalk and I'm impressed with the track. I did have a runner here though last year that came third in a listed race."