 Fallon would have been performing in front of huge crowds |
Leading Flat jockey Kieren Fallon has made a late decision to pull out of an intended ride at Cheltenham next week. Fallon returned to the saddle after an 18-month drugs ban last September. He was booked to ride the Noel Glynn-trained Old McDonald in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper on 17 March, on day two of the Festival showpiece meeting. But Glynn said: "I received a text to say Kieren wouldn't be available as he's decided to stay in Dubai, which is obviously a bit disappointing." The six-times champion Flat jockey had agreed to ride in the two-mile race, the only one at the meeting in which the horses have no obstacles to jump. Jamie Spencer was the last Flat jockey to win the race, when winning the 2002 renewal on board Pizarro. But now Paul Carberry will step in for the ride on Old McDonald.  | 606: DEBATE |
Glynn said: "Luckily for us it's worked out grand as Noel Meade hasn't got a runner in the bumper and we've got Paul Carberry booked to ride. "I'm delighted to have got him as he knows the course really well, so it might work out even better. "His sister Nina rides my other horse Becauseicouldntsee, who runs in the four-miler on the same day so hopefully it will be a family occasion and we can have a Carberry double on Wednesday." Willie Mullins has trained the winner of the Bumper on six occasions and always field a strong team. The champion trainer in Ireland could saddle up to four runners in the Grade One contest with Day Of A Lifetime, Bishopsfurze and Up Ou That all on target and the returning Lios A Choill also a possible traveller. Mullins was particularly impressed with Day of A Lifetime's recent win at Fairyhouse. "He did it very well and had been working very well at home. He won like he was working as he had been showing lots of ability at home, so we were happy with that." The five-year-old is a general 10-1 chance to win at Cheltenham.
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