Kieren Fallon, who returned from serious injury last season to win the Flat racing jockeys' championship for the fourth time in five years, will be going all out to retain his crown in 2002, despite losing his retainer with top trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

Fallon, who started his career in Norton with Jimmy FitzGerald, will be riding as a freelance this season following his split with Sir Michael, which was triggered by not every owner in the powerful yard wishing to retain him.

It looks a safe bet, however, that Newmarket- based Fallon will still be riding quite a few of Sir Michael's runners and, being in such great demand from a multitude of other trainers, he will not be lacking opportunities in the months ahead.

Fallon, though, will forever be aware of the stalking presence of North Yorkshire's Kevin Darley, who capitalised on his great rival's absence in 2000 to become the first nothern-based jockey to win the championship for 95 years.

Darley gave Fallon a tough fight in the championship race last season and, with Mark Johnston again supporting him, the Sheriff Hutton pilot looks sure to be a thorn in Fallon's side again this year.

Flamboyant Italian star Frankie Dettori will again be a crowd favourite but whether he can topple either of these two greats over the long season haul remains to be seen.

Updated: 15:41 Thursday, March 21, 2002