Bolger filly still earmarked for France

Racing news round-up.

FRENCH OAKS: The Jim Bolger-trained Alexander Goldrun, who was second to dual Classic winner Attraction in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, remained in Sunday's Prix de Diane Hermes (French Oaks) at the first declaration stage yesterday.

The other Irish possible runner is the Eddie Lynam-trained Red Feather, who was second to Solskjaer at Naas on Monday.

Saeed bin Suroor is double-handed with Epsom Oaks third Punctilious and Tizdubai, who was unplaced behind her stablemate Gonfilia in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on Saturday.

Italian Oaks winner Menhoubah represents Newmarket trainer Clive Brittain. She was taken out of the Epsom Oaks at the final declaration stage.

The raiding party is completed by Marcus Tregoning's Sahool.

Unbeaten French 1,000 Guineas winner Torrestrella, trained by Francois Rohaut, heads the home contingent, which also includes Group Three winner Steel Princess, trained by Chantilly-based Englishman Richard Gibson.

Fillies may be added to the field at tomorrow's supplementary stage at a cost of €30,000.

DUNLOP TEAM: John Dunlop has ruled out the French Oaks for his smart Hathrah after revealing yesterday that a number of his horses are under a cloud.

The ailment has affected his Arundel stable for much of the year and Hathrah is one filly which is sickening, while the strength of the Dunlop team at Royal Ascot may well be affected numerically.

Dunlop explained: "We still have a bit of coughing lurking about and some of the horses have dirty throats. Hathrah was not expected to run at Royal Ascot, but she won't be taking up her engagement in the Diane (French Oaks) because I'm not 100 per cent happy with her."

Hathrah's latest start saw her finish third, beaten a length, to Attraction and Sundrop in the UltimateBet.com 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

COMEBACK: Jimmy Fortune's nightmare 10 months out of the saddle with a severe back problem ends today when he returns to action at Newbury.

The jockey, who is 32 next Monday, makes a low-key comeback with just the one ride at the Berkshire track - Scientist for John Gosden in the concluding Sodexho Prestige Handicap over seven furlongs.

Fortune has suffered with back problems for over 10 years and collapsed at the Curragh last August.

He underwent surgery in South Africa during the winter but was advised by his surgeon not to sit on a horse again until early May.

Fortune rode 46 domestic winners last year before injury struck, and 93 in 2002.

DWYER OUT: Martin Dwyer will miss Royal Ascot after breaking his little finger in a fall at Windsor on Monday night.

The jockey sustained the injury when his mount, Marajuana, reared up and unseated him in the parade ring before the Littlewoods Bet Direct EBF Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

He was taken to hospital where X-rays revealed the extent of the damage.

"They have strapped it up but it looks as though he'll be out for a couple of weeks, so he can forget Royal Ascot," his agent Gareth Owen said yesterday.

"It's very disappointing for him. He would have had plenty of rides and was especially looking forward to riding High Accolade in the Hardwicke.

"It's just one of those things but he'll be back as soon as he can."

Dwyer has ridden 41 winners so far this year.

PESLIER BACK: The three-time Arc de Triomphe-winning jockey Olivier Peslier is set to reunite with the Wildenstein family following the unceremonious sacking of Dominique Boeuf.

The 31-year-old is contracted to ride for the Wertheimer Family, for whom he finished second in the Jockey Club on Sunday on Prospect Park.

However, Peslier has confirmed he will ride for the Wildensteins -after being asked by Alec Wildenstein following Boeuf's sacking on Sunday - when not obliged to ride for the Wertheimers.

"I am delighted to be back riding for the Wildensteins and look forward to riding many winners for them, I am very proud that Alec has chosen me," he said on www.opeslier.com.

Ironically, it was Boeuf who benefited when the Wildensteins moved their horses away from Andre Fabre in 2001 and signed him up as their retained jockey.

Peslier, who won three successive Arcs from 1996 to 1998 with Helissio, Peintre Celebre and Sagamix, has had a fine season so far, highlighted by his win on Torrestrella in the French 1,000 Guineas for Francois Rohaut.

Boeuf was dismissed following his ride on Vallee Enchantee in the Vodafone Coronation Cup at Epsom last Friday.