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Redvers says course walk decides Sumbal plan

Qatar Racing's Sumbal is a leading contender among the 14 colts declared for the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) (16.45 local time, 15.45 in UK), but the team behind him are keeping open the option of switching to Epsom's Investec Derby a week today.

David Redvers (pictured), racing manager to Sheikh Fahad and his brothers, said this morning: "Sumbal needs soft ground, and it looks like the weather for Epsom is stabilising and there may not be much more rain to come. At Epsom we would certainly want to see ground with the word 'soft' in it, but we do not have to supplement him [for the Investec Derby] until Monday.

"Accordingly we are walking the track at Chantilly just to make sure we are happy with conditions and will leave a final decision until the last minute, but I would say it is 90 per cent certain he will run in France. He has a nice draw in five."

Trained by Francis Graffard and ridden tomorrow by Andrea Atzeni, Sumbal was bought by Redvers as a yearling at Arqana, and while he did not race as a juvenile, he is unbeaten in three races since the turn of the year. They have all been over 2,000 metres (10 furlongs), and tomorrow's race is very similar at 2,100 metres, shorter than the 2,400 metres (12 furlongs) of Epsom's famous Derby.

A son of Danehill Dancer, he is out of Alix Road, who was placed in Group races over both trips. Redvers said: "He shows us all the signs that he would get 12 furlongs comfortably - he lengthens and lengthens in races, rather than quickens dramatically, and he has done nothing wrong so far, but it is hard to be sure until they run in races of the highest calibre."

Qatar Racing has three horses entered for the Investec Derby - the Andrew Balding-trained pair of Elm Park and Rocky Rider, plus Andreas Wohler's Rogue Runner - and it will be represented by Terror in tomorrow's Preis Vom Gestut Auenquelle (German 1,000 Guineas) (16.40 local time, 15.40 in UK) at Dusseldorf. Also in the 14-strong line-up is Letters Of Note, who runs for Pearl Bloodstock.

Terror, the mount of Jim Crowley, has won twice for David Simcock's yard, but was unplaced in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas on her latest start, while Letters Of Note (Oisin Murphy), scored at Dundalk on her most recent start in January for trainer Michael O'Callaghan.

Redvers said: "Both fillies have lots of ability, and as horses that might find seven furlongs is their optimum trip, rather than a mile, this race should suit.

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