D-Day For Visindar

All has gone well with ante-post favourite Visindar ? and now connections hope he will deliver in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom tomorrow.

The Andre Fabre-trained colt is unbeaten in three starts and will face 17 rivals in his bid to land a first blue riband for France since Empery in 1976.

'I gather everything has gone really well with his preparation. He hasn't really had a test and we just don't know how good he really is,' said Pat Downes, racing manager to owner the Aga Khan.

'Like everyone else, when the gun is put to his head we just don't know how he will react. We will have to see on Saturday.

'It would be fantastic for Sinndar if he could produce a Derby winner so early in his stud career, absolutely marvellous. But we would say that wouldn't we!

'It just shows what a high-class race the Arc was in 2000 when Sinndar beat Montjeu as these middle-distance stallions are really beginning to make their mark now, which is no bad thing.'

Visindar will face stiff opposition from the likes of the Kieren Fallon-ridden Horatio Nelson and Septimus from Aidan O'Brien's yard, who also run Dylan Thomas and Mountain.

Michael Jarvis has declared Hala Bek and he will be joined in the line-up by 2000 Guineas runner-up Sir Percy, while Sir Michael Stoute is represented by Papal Bull and Best Alibi.

Frankie Dettori will continue his quest for a first Derby winner aboard Fabre's Linda's Lad.

Art Deco and Olympian Odyssey were withdrawn and will instead go for the French Derby at Chantilly on Sunday. Altius and Mick Channon's Youmzain were also taken out.

? PA Sport