IT was an All Too Beautiful afternoon on Knavesmire for former champion jockey Keiren Fallon as he rode three winners on the second day of York's opening meeting of the season.

Fallon partnered All Too Beautiful to victory in the totepool Middleton Stakes and also scored on Marcus Andronicus, trained like All Too Beautiful by Aidan O'Brien, and River Falcon.

All Too Beautiful, the 1-2 favourite, won in workmanlike rather than spectacular fashion.

"When Kieren rode her in work he said she had to be produced very late and he was spot on," said O'Brien. "She pulls up when she gets to the front.

"Coming down in Indian file, Kieren couldn't produce her any later today. He said when she did get there she pulled up but what I loved about her was the way she went."

Fallon and O'Brien were back in the winners' circle after Marcus Andronicus took the totesport 0800 221 221 EBF Maiden Stakes.

River Falcon was backed into 11-4 favourite to repeat his victory of 12 months ago in the five-furlong totesport.com Handicap and he did not let his supporters down, with an emphatic success.

Trainer Jim Goldie said: "I thought he might do it like that.

"He's a nice horse and he does like York. With Kieren on board it was only going to be bad luck that beat him.

"He might go for the big sprint at Musselburgh or possibly he might come back here for the Wokingham.

"I think he was doing his best work at the finish so six furlongs in the Wokingham would suit him as well."

Updated: 10:59 Friday, May 13, 2005