Kieren Fallon stepped up the defence of his jockeys' title with a 42 to 1 treble on the opening day of Newmarket's Craven Meeting yesterday. Fallon's three-timer also featured the first winner of 1998, Capri, for his boss Henry Cecil.

Sent on by Fallon with five furlongs of the 12 remaining, the 13 to 8 favourite lengthened clear through the final quarter mile to beat stable-companion Laurentide by seven lengths.

Half an hour later Fallon was back in the winner's enclosure as Tedburrow reversed Doncaster running with Monaassib and Cretan Gift to take the Listed Equity Financial Services Abernant Stakes.

Fallon's treble was completed on Daring Derek, who justified odds of 1 to 2 with an all-the-way five-length victory in the Boadicea Conditions Stakes. Daring Derek is likely to contest the 2000 Guineas next, though whether that is at Newmarket or the Capanelle has yet to be decided.