Both Kevin Prendergast's Oscar Schindler and John Oxx's Ebadiyla continued to stand their ground for the Group One Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp on Sunday. The French classic attracted a total of 13 acceptors at yesterday's forfeit stage, including a British septet.

They are Tamure, Further Flight, Bahamian Knight, Double Eclipse, Grey Shot, Snow Princess and Camporese.

Kevin Prendergast is using the race as a springboard for either the Breeders' Cup Turf or the Japan Cup for Oscar Schindler.

While Ebadiyla's jockey Johnny Murtagh prepares for another Hong Kong stint, Richard Hughes, is reportedly feeling the media heat there

Hughes, who missed Wednesday's Sha Tin card because of illness, began with a bang by scoring on his very first ride before beginning a losing sequence of 64.

However, he has received a vote of confidence from training stalwarts, David Hayes and Ivan Allan, who have both gone on record as saying that they will use Hughes if available.

"I've watched him ride and make no mistake he is good. The press can be too critical and I think it is best to wait and see," said Hayes.

Alan Munro, another jockey based in Hong Kong who has been going through a lean spell, ended a losing sequence of 56 when winning on Fortune Partner at Sha Tin on Wednesday. Jump jockey Shane Lyons, 25, yesterday announced his retirement from race-riding, citing weight problems and the lack of mounts in recent months as his main reasons for quitting the saddle.

Lyons rode 40 winners in Britain, most of them for Micky Hammond, and was runner-up in the amateur championship in the 1991-92 season.

"I also rode eight winners in Ireland since coming back here to work with my brother Ger, who is training near Fairyhouse," said Lyons. "I have decided to concentrate now on assisting Ger with the horses."