Cieren Fallon replaced on first ride after trainer mix-up

The riding debut of Cieren Fallon, son of six-time champion jockey Kieren, has been delayed following a breakdown in communication between trainers William Haggas and Martin Smith.

Smith had originally contacted Haggas, to whom Fallon jnr is apprenticed, about the possibility of him riding Rivers Of Asia in the 1m2f handicap at Newmarket on Friday, but after receiving no reply the trainer declared the 18-year-old for the ride.

However, following a subsequent discussion with Haggas, who suggested Fallon jnr should make his debut in an apprentice race, Smith replaced the young rider with Harry Bentley.

A note on the stewards' report read: "He [Smith] explained that, on the morning of declarations he had contacted the office of Cieren Fallon’s employer, William Haggas, requesting for Fallon to ride Rivers Of Asia. Due to no further communication from Haggas’s office, he declared Fallon to ride Rivers Of Asia.

"He added he had subsequently spoken to Haggas, who informed him that, in his opinion, Fallon's first ride should be in an apprentice race and asked that he find another jockey to ride Rivers Of Asia. The stewards gave permission for Harry Bentley to be substituted.”

The race was won by 5-2 favourite Whitlock, with Rivers Of Asia finishing 11th of the 15 runners. It was one of four winners for Robert Havlin, who also struck on Indian Viceroy, Waldstern and Argentello, to record his first domestic four-timer at combined odds of 150-1.

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