Fallon bullish over True Story’s Derby chance

Six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon believes his Investec Derby mount True Story, a 10/1 shot with Coral for Epsom glory, has more speed than his three previous winners in the colts’ classic.

Fallon, 49, was first successful in Britain’s premier flat race with Oath in 1999, before adding back-to-back wins on Kris Kin and North Light in 2003 and 2004.

Speaking on the radio, Fallon said: “I think he’s got a better turn of foot. My three Derby horses were more horses that lengthened than quickened. This horse can really quicken.”

Fallon partnered True Story for the first time in the Dante Stakes at York, but the impressive Feilden Stakes winner could only finish a 1 1/2 lengths third behind the Great Gatsby despite being sent off the heavily backed odds-on favourite.

However, with the winner have since gone on to land the Group 1 Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly, the run doesn’t look as bad as it did post-race.

Fallon has certainly not lost faith in the Saeed bin Suroor trained colt, who has always given him a “super feel” since the first time he got on his back.

“I was riding him in all his work even before the Feilden Stakes and he’s always given me a super feel. He could have been a Guineas horse he has so much speed but obviously the Derby was the programme for him. We’re in a good position at the moment and couldn’t be happier with him,” he added in his radio interview.

Australia remains the uneasy 11/10 favourite with Coral for the big race on Saturday, June 7th.

The son of Galileo was as short as 4/6 after his highly promising reappearance when a 3/4 length third behind Night Of Thunder in the 2000 Guineas, but fears that the going could be soft have seen him become friendless in the betting.

Kingston Hill, now 7/1 second favourite with Coral, is the major market mover, having been available to back at twice those odds just over a week ago.

Trained by Marco Botti, this colt was unbeaten in three runs as a juvenile, running out the impressive winner of the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy on his final start.