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Fabre gives highly regarded Akihiro Epsom Derby option

Son of Deep Impact could take "Intello" route via Newmarket

Derby entry Salouen (mauve silks) chases home National Defense in the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere, form which ties in closely with another Epsom candidate in Akihiro
Derby entry Salouen (mauve silks) chases home National Defense in the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere, form which ties in closely with another Epsom candidate in AkihiroCredit: Caroline Norris

Unbeaten French-trained colt Akihiro was among ten second stage entries on Wednesday for the Investec Derby at Epsom, with a trip to Newmarket the warm-up plan.

Owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, Akihiro showed his class last season with a decisive success in the Group 3 Prix des Chenes at Chantilly last September. Connections may make an early visit to Britain with the son of Deep Impact.

"He is doing well and needs a bit further than a mile so he could go to Newmarket for the Listed Feilden Stakes," said trainer Andre Fabre, who used the same starting point in 2013 for the same owners' Intello before he went on to win the 2013 Prix du Jockey Club.

The Wertheimers' racing manager Pierre-Yves Bureau said: "The Derby entry gives us options down the line, although of course there is the Prix du Jockey Club to consider.

"Akihiro looks like he will get a trip and has a bit more experience so that’s why he has the Derby entry."

Behind Akihiro at Chantilly was National Defense, whose subsequent Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere victim Salouen also features among the second-stage entries, taking the total number of colts going forward to 136.

Salouen, by a miler in Canford Cliffs, backed up that performance when finishing third behind Rivet in the Racing Post Trophy.

Trainer Sylvester Kirk said: "He is out of a Galileo mare which gives me hope that he will get the mile and a half. You never know until you try, but he looked to stay well last year."

Cracksman – who represents the Golden Horn connections of Sir Anthony Oppenheimer and John Gosden – was added, while Godolphin were responsible for five of Wednesday's entries: Thunder Snow, Best Of Days, Syphax, Leshla and Best Solution.

Scott BurtonFrance correspondent

Published on 5 April 2017inNews

Last updated 19:54, 5 April 2017

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