Cieren Fallon hails 'special' first Group 1 for boss William Haggas as 25-1 Montassib stuns Sprint Cup rivals

The wide-open nature of Britain's sprinting division was laid bare when Montassib equalled the record for the biggest-priced winner of Haydock's most prestigious Flat race.

Sent off at 25-1, the same price as 2002 scorer Invincible Spirit, Montassib was delivered late by local lad Cieren Fallon to power home from fellow outsiders Kind Of Blue (14-1) and Unequal Love (12-1) in a race that left punters scratching their heads.

William Haggas, winning the Sprint Cup for the first time and saddling the third for good measure, was equally perplexed at the victory of a gelding having his first run at the highest level at the age of six. 

"I thought Unequal Love might run well but I wasn't expecting Montassib to enjoy that ground and I thought they were both drawn away from the real action," the trainer said.

"We relied on Bucanero Fuerte going forward, which he did, and Unequal Love was always travelling well, whereas Cieren had to get after Montassib.

"On softer ground, they come back to him and that would suit him better, but he's the most genuine horse at home and Cieren always thinks there's more to come. 

Cieren Fallon celebrates as he crosses the line on MontassibCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He had a heart condition as a two-year-old and never ran as a three-year-old, but he's had a bit of patience and got a bit of luck. I'm delighted he's won a Group 1."

For Fallon, it was a third Group 1 success – all of which have come in sprints – but it meant even more coming for the trainer and in the part of the country where he was raised. His season has been ravaged by injuries too.

"It's a special one," he said. "My family is here and it's my first Group 1 for the boss Mr Haggas, who has looked after me from day one.

"I had to bide my time and wait for the right gaps. We got them and off he went – he's a joy to ride. You've got to be lucky getting the splits but in a big field like that with horses to aim at, I was always confident.

"I've had an up-and-down season as at the start I was out with my leg, and then I got back and things were going really well, and then I broke my back and missed a month at a crucial part of the season," he said. 

"I've been lucky to find some very good horses and Mr Haggas has been a superstar for me this year."

There could be more to come with Montassib, who is expected to relish the likely softer conditions at next month's Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot. He was cut to 6-1 (from 14) for the Champions Sprint by the majority of bookmakers.

William Haggas and Cieren Fallon debrief after surprise Sprint Cup winCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"The Champions Sprint was always the race I was looking forward to," said Haggas. "You would think the race will suit him, but he'll now be one of the favourites and things are different when you're expected to win." 

Haggas will look to find suitable targets for third-placed Unequal Love, who took her form to a new level on her first run in a Group 1.

"She has run an absolute stormer," the trainer said. "She won the Wokingham with a lot of weight and no filly has ever done that. She hasn't won a Group race, so she needs to be doing that."

A rematch with runner-up Kind Of Blue could await Montassib after trainer James Fanshawe pointed the way to Ascot with his improving sprinter.

The three-year-old got within a head of emulating his close relative The Tin Man, who won the Sprint Cup for Fanshawe in 2018.

"It was a great run and I'm very pleased with him," the trainer said. "He's come a long way and I think the bit of easier ground helped him. He's getting the hang of it, he's a very exciting horse to have in the yard and I'd say there's a good chance we'll go to Ascot."

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