Brian O'Connor talks to Kieren Fallon about his return to Ireland and his chances of finally capturing an Irish Derby

Kieren Fallon is characteristically blunt when summing up his record in Ireland's Classic races. "A disaster," he says dismissively.

For most of his colleagues, a pair of Oaks wins on Ramruma (1999) and Ouija Board (2004) would represent career highlights and make the disaster statement harsh in the extreme. But then we are talking about Kieren Fallon. For one of the most successful jockeys of the last decade, and definitely the most controversial, normal parameters don't readily apply.

After all, that brace of victories in the Oaks contrasts with a remarkable strike-rate in the English counterparts: 13 of racing's most valuable pots in the last eight years is proof that, when it counts most, Fallon usually gets it right.

The good news for those waiting to back the favourite, Hurricane Run, in tomorrow's Budweiser Irish Derby is that Fallon realises that better than anyone.

"I haven't had much luck over the years, but when I get a live one I usually make the most of it," he declares emphatically. "The two real hotpots both won, and after North Light last year I'm getting closer in the Derby."

For a man who has admitted in the past that confidence is an integral ingredient to his success, such statements are reassuring. They come as the first half of his first year as the number one rider to Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle yard draws to a close. The 40-year-old's upbeat mood is as accurate a mid-term report card as anyone needs.

Mind you, it's not hard to see why. Guineas domination at Newmarket threatened the sort of season that would sweep any opposition out of the way throughout Europe. But the Derbys at Epsom and Chantilly were anti-climactic. Ballydoyle's middle-distance class didn't come up to scratch.

So John Magnier concluded the sort of deal to buy Hurricane Run that reminded everyone of Coolmore's immense financial muscle.

One of the first moves was to put Fallon on board the new purchase for the Curragh, leaving France's bright young thing, Christophe Soumillon, to ruminate on the misfortune that resulted in narrow defeat at Chantilly earlier this month. It's just another sign of Coolmore's faith in the man who took on perhaps the most pressurised riding job in world racing less than six months ago.

Such a move by the notoriously image-conscious Coolmore outfit surprised some last February. But once Jamie Spencer decided enough was enough, Fallon was always going to be the form choice in terms of talent. And clearly that was enough to ignore some of the baggage that came along for the ride.

After all, this is a man who last September was released on bail pending a British police investigation into alleged race-fixing. Only in December did the Jockey Club decide to drop a possible inquiry for bringing the game into disrepute.

That came on the back of tabloid scrutiny into Fallon's private life, and, not surprisingly, the jockey is wary of most press attention. It usually veers from vitriolic tongue-lashing to the sort of tongue-bath that makes one want to say sorry and leave the room. Black and white cartoons of either sort leave little room for the shades of grey in between.

There is a directness to the man that probably hasn't done him any favours in the sound bite age but does reflect the determination that has carried him to the top of a notoriously hard sport since he left Ireland for Britain in 1987. It was another 10 years before Fallon started breathing the rarefied air at racing's top table, but now that he has returned to Ireland there remains the disinclination to speak it any other way but the way he sees it.

"The only problem with riding in England is all the travelling. The racing there is a piece of piss compared to Ireland," he says when asked to compare.

"It's much more competitive here. You look at the Racing Post table for the top five jockeys in England and they're all Irish. Then there's the fact that in England, Frankie (Dettori) might be at one meeting, Kevin (Darley) will be at another and everyone is spread around. Here you have Mick Kinane, Johnny Murtagh, Pat Smullen, Deccy McDonogh all fighting for the same race," Fallon adds.

In general terms it's also a different country to the one he left almost 20 years ago. Financial prosperity has manifested itself in racing as much as any other area of society, but despite the investment Fallon hasn't been overly impressed with many of the tracks here.

"Some of the tracks are disgraceful with their facilities, and, to be honest, I haven't noticed much difference to when I left years ago," he decides.

The logistical upside, however, is the lack of travelling. Most tracks are easily accessible, and the lack of constant activity has not affected his weight.

"I'm pretty lucky with that and I ride out most mornings at Aidan's. That lets me get to know the horses, but it also helps keep you sharp," he says.

Overall, the experience of teaming up with O'Brien and Coolmore and returning to Ireland has been a good one, but if there is one thing that Fallon repeats constantly it is the desire to keep looking ahead. It's an understandable wish, but also maybe one that reflects how much he has enjoyed the initial experience at Ballydoyle.

"They are a great team to work for and I'm happy. When I started I didn't really know what to expect. The previous year's two-year-olds hadn't set the world on fire as they usually do, but with Coolmore you always have the best-bred horses in the world coming through. And you only really need one good horse in a yard. The rest tend to fall in around that good horse," he says, before dismissing any idea of the Derbys so far putting a dampener on the year.

"We won the Coronation Cup at Epsom with Yeats, and if you win any of those major races it will always be a brilliant weekend. The only real disappointment was Royal Ascot at York, when we had only one winner and lots of placed horses. But you could nearly blame the ground for that. Now we've got Goodwood and the July meeting coming up and the two-year-olds to look forward to," he says.

One thing not on the Fallon agenda, however, is an Irish championship title to go with the six he won in Britain.

"I would love to be champion in Ireland but I'm not too pushed this year. At the start I just wanted to settle in and I wasn't too concerned about going after it. Now I think it has slipped away. Fran Berry, Mick Kinane and Pat Smullen are all doing well and are a good bit in front."

Instead it will be the prestige races that will interest him, starting with tomorrow and a date with Hurricane Run. Fallon will get on the colt for the first time in the parade ring, but already he is expecting something special.

"I spoke to Soumillon at York about the horse and he simply said he is a champion. It was all he could talk about. He looks a serious horse the way he quickens. I know he runs about, but I remember Montjeu used to do the same when Cash (Asmussen) rode him.

"I rode Gypsy King at Epsom and he just wasn't at the top of his game. He seems okay now, but on paper he looks third-best. Walk In The Park and my horse look the big two - I hope!" he says.

When Fallon's got his confident face on, however, he usually doesn't need to rely on hope.

FactsOnFallon

Born: February 22nd, 1965, in Crusheen, Co Clare.

First winner: Piccadilly Lord at Navan on June 18th, 1984.

Champion jockey in Britain: 6 times, 1997-99 and 2001-03.

Irish Classics: Ramruma (1999 Oaks) and Ouija Board (2004 Oaks.)

British Classics: 2,000 Guineas: Footstepsinthesand (2005), Golan (2001), Kings Best (2000). 1,000 Guineas: Virginia Waters (2005), Russian Rhythm (2003), Wince (1999), Sleepytime (1997). Derby: North Light (2004), Kris Kin (2003), Oath (1999). Oaks: Ouija Board (2004), Ramruma (1999), Reams Of Verse (1997).