Kieren Fallon may resemble the walking wounded, but he can steer Rumplestiltskin to a memorable victory in tomorrow's Stan James 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The former champion jockey suffered a foot injury when leaving the stalls in a race at Tipperary on Thursday evening.

X-rays have shown that the damage is not as bad as first feared and Fallon, despite giving up his other mounts at Newmarket, was expected to partner George Washington in this afternoon's 2,000 Guineas and is set to ride Rumplestiltskin in tomorrow's 1,000 Guineas.

Five times a winner last season, Aidan O'Brien's filly proved herself to be in the highest league in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh, and particularly in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp, where she overcame traffic problems to take the spoils in dramatic fashion.

Any rain at Newmarket will enhance the chances of Rumplestiltskin, who has what it takes to add her name to the Classic roll of honour.

The opposition is predictably formidable, with Flashy Wings (winner of the Queen Mary Stakes and the Lowther Stakes on Knavesmire last season) taking her on, along with Nannina (winner of the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket), Silca's Sister (the Prix Morny winner) and Donna Blini, who clinched the Cheveley Park Stakes.

Best of those at bigger odds may prove to be La Chunga, winner of the Albany Stakes at York's Royal Ascot meeting last June and subsequently a one-length second to Flashy Wings in the Lowther Stakes, over the same course and distance.

Quoted at around 16-1, La Chunga, trained by Jeremy Noseda, is tempting each-way value, but I expect victory to go to Rumplestiltskin - and her likely limping jockey, Kieren Fallon.

The £90,000 StanJamesUK.com Jockey Club is the main supporting race, and the talented French raider Shirocco, trained by the brilliant Andre Fabre, should not go unnoticed.

In the Stan James Maiden Stakes for juveniles, there are strong vibes for two of the newcomers, Winning Spirit, trained by Jeremy Noseda, and Conquest, trained by his Newmarket neighbour William Haggas. Both youngsters are by the same sire, Invincible Spirit.

Although there is no form to go on, my marginal preference is for Frankie Dettori's mount Winning Spirit, who may be the more precocious at the first time of asking.

TOMORROW

Newmarket selected races: 2.50 Shirocco, 3.30 Rumplestiltskin, 4.40 Winning Spirit.

Hamilton selected races: 2.40 Dispol Veleta (Nap), 3.50 Tilt, 4.25 Dream Champion.

Tomorrow's other meeting: Salisbury (afternoon, Flat).

TODAY

Today's Nap: Rio Riva (Thirsk 4.50), whose chances in the Thirsk Hunt Cup were highlighted in yesterday's edition.

Today's meetings: Goodwood (afternoon, Flat), Haydock (afternoon, mixed card of National Hunt and Flat races), Hexham (evening, National Hunt), Newmarket (afternoon, Flat), Thirsk (afternoon, Flat), Uttoxeter (afternoon, National Hunt), Worcester (evening, National Hunt).

Updated: 10:04 Saturday, May 06, 2006