Kieren Fallon did what is almost routinely expected of him these days with yet another power-packed finish to win the St James's Palace Stakes on Dr Fong but his winning smile was a frown compared to when Irish champion apprentice Eddie Ahern returned after winning the Ascot Stakes on the Michael Grassick-trained San Sebastian.
It was a perfect end to a frustrating day for the Irish. Aidan O'Brien's team didn't make it, Access All Areas was an unlucky third in the Coventry Stakes and the well-backed Generosa slipped badly at Swinley Bottom in the same Ascot Stakes. While Generosa was struggling, Ahern (20) enjoyed a dream run on San Sebastian who earned rich compensation in the £46,000 marathon after being disqualified from first twice earlier this season.
The gelding, watched for the first time by Spanish owner Ricardo Sanz, took it up early in the straight and ran on resolutely to put four lengths between himself and the joint-favourite Rainbow Frontier.
"I was going so well I had to kick on earlier than I wanted but he really kept going," beamed Tipperary-born Ahern who was riding his 85th winner. Curragh-based Grassick, to whom Ahern has been attached throughout his career, was maintaining a family tradition at Ascot.
His father Christy trained Godswalk to win the 1976 Norfolk and Grassick quipped: "I used to look after Godswalk but I missed seeing him win because somebody had to stay at home."
Describing Ahern as a "serious jockey with a huge future" Grassick now intends giving San Sebastian, originally bought to try and win the Spanish Derby, a break before taking in the major staying handicaps in the autumn. "Our worry was the trip but he stayed well today," he added.
Fallon put in a remarkable finish to win the feature by a neck from Desert Prince considering he injured his knee last Thursday morning. There was no evidence of it yesterday as he forced the Henry Cecil-trained colt past the pace-setting Desert Prince who had little left when Olivier Peslier put the gun to his head a furlong out.
"He has shown just what a great jockey he is," said Cecil who may send Dr Fong for an Eclipse clash with the Godolphin pair Faithful Son and Daylami, first and third in the Prince Of Wales Stakes.
Access All Areas was a fast finishing third to Red Sea in the Coventry but looked unlucky having been squeezed up over a furlong out.
Frankie Dettori shrugged off big-race disappointment to enjoy more happy moments in his love affair with Ascot. Sandwiched between an unlucky defeat on Daylami in the Princess of Wales's Stakes were superb successes for the Italian aboard Intikhab and Plan-B.
