Empire set for Deauville

Second Empire, off the track since finishing unplaced in the Epsom Derby, could reappear in the Group One Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville on Sunday week.

Ireland's champion juvenile of last year had a break after his disappointing effort at Epsom and trainer Aidan O'Brien said yesterday: "He seems well after his break and the current plans are that he may run in the Deauville race."

Second Empire's best moments to date came in France when winning the Grand Criterium and the Group Three Prix des Chenes at Longchamp last autumn.

Before that O'Brien could have as many as three runners in Sunday's Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown. Coralita and Bugatti Reef are confirmed runners and the Ballydoyle trainer said: "April Starlight could run as well."

He confirmed that the highlytouted but unraced Stravinsky will not be making his debut in Group One company and instead O'Brien will find a suitable maiden for the Nureyev colt who has already been backed for next year's Newmarket 2,000 Guineas.

The Meld Stakes winner Takarian will have his next race in the heat of Southern California after being sold to race in America.

The former John Oxx-trained and Aga Khan-owned colt had been an intended runner in the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow week, but will instead contest the Del Mar Derby early next month.

Robbie Fitzpatrick had mixed fortunes at Sligo last night, partnering his fifth winner of the season aboard Slightly Sober in the Moat Handicap but also picking up a one-day suspension for failing to arrive in time for an earlier ride.

The Jim Gorman-trained Slightly Sober was sent to the front before the home turn and, despite drifting left from the final furlong in the testing ground, kept on well to beat Searchforthehero by four and a half lengths.

However, the gloss was taken off the triumph for Fitzpatrick, who failed to arrive in time to partner the unplaced Piercetown Lad half an hour earlier in the Cleveragh Claiming Race. The Clondalkin apprentice explained he was attending business in Dublin during the morning, and was unsure of the route to the track as it was the first time he had driven there. But the stewards were not satisfied, and suspended him for one day (August 15th).

Victory in the two-year-old claimer went to the Shane Kellyridden newcomer Tenalist, who got on top in the final 100 yards to beat Paynestown Lad by one and a half lengths. The Leitrim-born apprentice is now two clear of reigning champion Eddie Ahern on the 24-winner mark in the junior title race.

Jerry Cromwell, better known on the northern point-to-point circuit, saddled his first winner under rules for 12 months when Winning Charlie jumped to the front at the last to beat Lady Meargan by three lengths in the Martin Reilly Motors BMW Connacht Handicap Chase.