IF Sir Alex Ferguson, the recently retired Manchester United manager, was planning at day out at the Investec Derby at Epsom next month, he will have to think again.
Ferguson has a share in Telescope, a colt who has been talked as having a real chance in the Epsom classic. However, bad news received by the syndicate yesterday is that Telescope has beeen ruled out because of a sore shin.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute surprised a media gathering with the news at the annual Breakfast With The Stars morning at Lingfield.
The Galileo colt had a racecourse gallop at Lingfield on Wednesday, in which he was described as only "workmanlike" by Stoute. When asked if he was definitely out of the Derby, Stoute said: "He's not going to run."
Telescope missed an intended prep run in the Dante Stakes at York last week after cuts on his legs became infected. He has not raced since winning a strong Newmarket maiden in September.
Frankie Dettori, meanwhile, still hopes to be able to ride at next week's Derby meeting after making some progress towards having his licence reinstated.
The rider had planned to be back in action this week after serving a six-month ban handed out by France Galop after he tested positive for cocaine at Longchamp last September.
However, a "private matter" between Dettori and the Medical Committee of France Galop has so far prevented the French regulator from clearing the jockey to return, with the British Horseracing Authority reciprocating that stance.
Dettori's solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore said: "Frankie has been in France for the last two days The matter has moved forward and we are expecting a positive result."
At Musselburgh tonight, local trainer Ian Semple has two runners in a bid to get back on the scoresheet after his latest return to the training ranks. Semple said: "Pastoral Prey ran a nice race when third at Hamilton, while Princess in Exile has had some decent form."
* Sheikh Mohammed has vowed his Godolphin operation will go from "strength to strength" after ordering a decree banning the use of anabolic steroids in Dubai.
The ruler of Dubai has moved to prohibit the use of the performance-enhancing drugs following the British Horseracing Authority's decision to ban former Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni for eight years after he admitted administering the substances to several horses in his care.
Anabolic steroids were allowed to be used on horses not in training in Dubai but from now on, anyone found using, selling or buying any performance-enhancing drugs in the United Arab Emirates for equine purposes will be breaking the new law.
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