Moi Still In Longchamp Frame

Excusez Moi has not been totally ruled out of Sunday's Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp despite being withdrawn due to lameness at Ascot.

Clive Brittain's sprinter got worked up before the Group Two Diadem Stakes yesterday and was taken out at the start on veterinary advice. Yet, shortly afterwards the four-year-old was almost sound again.

The American-bred son of Fusaichi Pegasus also showed no ill-effects and was able to do a routine work-out today.

'It's incredible. They sent the horse ambulance to pick him up down at the start and the vet that saw him when he got off the ambulance in the stable yard gave him a one out of 10 for lameness, so he was practically not lame at all,' said Brittain.

'He does get himself very excited and jog-jogs and throws himself around a bit. He gave himself a rap no more then that.

'He went out this morning and cantered fine. He took hold of his bit and came back in and it was just a normal exercise.

'Hopefully we'll see him again soon. Obviously the Prix de l'Abbaye was a consideration, so we will just have to wait and see.

'We did think if he won the Diadem at Ascot, we would take the view that he would go to France. He didn't run in the end, but I wouldn't rule the Abbaye out completely.'

(C) PA Sport