Kieren Fallon will take Melbourne Cup ride rather than fight for title

Kieren Fallon all but ruled himself out of the race for the Flat jockeys' championship on Thursday when it was announced that he will travel to Australia to ride in the Melbourne Cup during the final week of the season. Fallon has been chasing Paul Hanagan throughout the season and was still within 10 winners of the lead before racing on Thursday. However, he was pushed out as far as 9-1 for the title when Terry Norman, Fallon's agent, confirmed that he will be in Melbourne on Tuesday week, four days before the British Flat season concludes. Hanagan's principal rival for the title now appears to be Silvestre de Sousa, an 8-1 chance with Stan James, who was six winners behind before racing on Thursday but will be suspended for two of the next three days. Hanagan, by contrast, has scarcely seen the inside of the stewards' room since the season started in March. "It looks like Hanagan's title to lose," said David Williams of Ladbrokes, who offer only 1-4 about Hanagan maintaining his lead. "An injury-free and suspension-free run should see him pick up enough wins to ensure he gets over the line to defend his crown."