Weld, O'Brien target France

RACING NEWS:IT IS QUARTER of a century since the last Irish-trained winner of the French Derby but both Aidan O'Brien and Dermot Weld are lining up Sunday's Prix Du Jockey Club for possible attempts to bridge that gap.

Twenty seven horses remain in the €1.5 million Classic at Chantilly with Weld represented in that list by both Famous Name and Casual Conquest. O'Brien has the option of deciding from Achill Island and Sligo.

Casual Conquest is due to work after racing at Leopardstown tonight, or, if the weather is poor, tomorrow morning, after which a decision on whether he goes to France or Epsom on Saturday week will be taken.

Yesterday Weld reported: "They are both in the race in France and we will decide later in the week. We will have to see about the ground for Famous Name. He likes a good dig. But he has the French Derby entry so we will look at it."

Famous Name was taken out of last Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas at a late stage because of the fast ground conditions at the Curragh.

O'Brien has yet to land the Jockey Club despite repeated attempts since his first runner, Saratoga Springs, in 1997. Yesterday he said: "Both Achill Island and Sligo are possible runners but they have to work still before we make our minds up."

Achill Island has already visited France this year after finishing sixth of seven behind High Work at Longchamp in April. He subsequently did better when third to Tajaaweed in the Dee Stakes at Chester.

Just two Irish-trained horses have won France's premier classic. Assert became the first overseas runner to win the Jockey Club in 1982 when victorious for David O'Brien and Christy Roche. A year later Caerleon was successful for Vincent O'Brien and Pat Eddery who were denied by Darshaan in 1984 when Sadler's Wells was runner-up in a famous renewal.

O'Brien indicated that neither Honolulu or Macarthur will take up their entries in the Group Two Grand Prix de Chantilly on the same card while Psalm is unlikely to take part in the Group Two Prix de Sandringham.