Marichal added to French Derby

Marichal was today supplemented for the Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) which means that a maximum field of 15 will come under orders in the Classic at Chantilly on Sunday.

The winner of the Derby du Midi for trainer Roger Litt, Marichal was added to the field at a cost of 400,000 francs (#38,797).

Aidan O`Brien has declared his Prix Lupin third Milan and El Bueno.

The three British-trained acceptors are Sydenham (John Gosden), Grandera (James Fanshawe) and Musha Merr (Godolphin).

France Galop, the French racing body, confirmed that Michael Hills and Jamie Spencer have been booked for the respective rides on Grandera and Musha Merr.

Friday marks the confirmation stage for the race.

Maille Pistol, Chichicastenango and Anabaa Blue, the winners of the four main French Derby trials between them, head what is a strong home defence.

Completing the list of domestic acceptors are Sensible, Okawango, Sagacity, Foundation Spirit, Art Contemporain and Doctorate.

The Prix Jean Prat, the second big three-year-old feature on the, has attracted seven acceptors.

Aidan O`Brien is keeping all his options open by leaving in three at the probables stage, Beckett, Darwin and King Of Tara.

Olden Times, John Dunlop`s Feilden Stakes winner, is the sole remaining British acceptor following the defection of the William Haggas runner Count Dubois.

Denon, the Prix Fontainebleau winner and French 2000 Guineas fourth, looks the best of three local runners.

Amiwain, Andre Fabre`s Group Two winning colt, and Green Jaro, from the Francois Rohaut stable, complete the field.

John Gosden`s Lurina is the only British acceptor in the Group Three Prix de Sandringham following the defections of stablemate Santolina and John Hills` Peaceful Paradise.

The Group Two Prix du Gros Chene over five furlongs has five British acceptors.

The quintet are Repertory (Malcolm Saunders), Compton Banker (Gerard Butler), Watching (Richard Hannon), Emerald Peace (Michael Jarvis) and Shoeshine Boy (Brian Meehan).