KIEREN FALLON looks set to answer his critics in the best possible manner by winning this afternoon's Vodafone Oaks aboard Islington (3.45).

After a couple of allegedly ill-judged rides earlier in the season, Fallon was informed he would no longer be in the frame to ride a number of leading Middle-Eastern owned horses.

Kieren has since kept his fans happy by pledging to go all out to retain his champion jockeys' title, as well as maintaining his superb record in the Oaks having previously bagged the fillies' Classic in 1997 and 1999 on Reams Of Verse and Ramruma respectively.

Sir Michael Stoute's representative appears to be every bit as good as that pair of high-class fillies judged on the evidence of her gutsy success in the Musidora Stakes at York's May meeting.

And Islington's owner-breeder, Lord Weinstock, is understandably keen on her chances, especially as he reckons things didn't exactly go to plan on the Knavesmire.

"Kieren had to go for home sooner than was ideal and I took great encouragement from the guts and determination she displayed," he reported.

In the shape of Godolphin's 1,000 Guineas heroine, Kazzia, the selection has a serious fight on her hands.

Frankie Dettori is reckoned to be "super confident" over the prospects of Kazzia, a filly not only guaranteed to act on the soft ground, but also said to be working brilliantly in the lead up to the £350,000 Group 1 contest.

Nearer to home at Catterick, Gala Gold (5.35) has been blessed with a favourable inside draw in division 1 of the Apprentice Maiden Stakes.

It's a poor heat, however Gala Gold has at least shown herself to be quite a speedy sort on the gallops at Middleham.

Leave the nap to Western Ridge (4.05), who will be thoroughly at home on the sand at Wolverhampton in the mile-and-a-half Bet Direct Handicap.

* Geoff Wragg's progressive Monturani is a late addition to the French Oaks (Prix de Diane) after being supplemented for the classic today. Connections stumped up 30,000 euros (£18,405) for the privilege of being able to run the filly at Chantilly on Sunday.