Racing: Visindar Derby gamble gathers pace

The gamble on Visindar, André Fabre's Derby hope, shows no signs of slowing down and the Sinndar colt is now 10-1 from 14-1 with the Tote after further support yesterday.

The firm's spokesman, Damian Walker, said: "Visindar is to make his seasonal debut on Monday and clearly an awful lot is expected of him. He was available at 33-1 after being supplemented for the Derby just a week ago, but has been backed at all prices down to 10-1."

Aidan O'Brien's Chenchikova could miss the Oaks after suffering a setback. The filly, a full sister to the 2002 Derby winner High Chaparral, disappointed at the Curragh on her seasonal return when fourth in a Group Three race run on heavy ground. "She has suffered a minor setback and it's possible she may not make the Oaks," a spokesman for the filly's Coolmore Stud owners said yesterday.

O'Brien, responsible for Rumplestiltskin, the 1,000 Guineas favourite, has made two entries for the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on Tuesday. Beauty Bright and Kamarinskaya are the Ballydoyle trainer's possibles for the Group Three contest which has attracted a total of 17 fillies.

Jeremy Noseda will give his 1,000 hope, La Chunga, a gallop at Newmarket on Thursday, the final day of the Craven meeting.

Another to bypass a prep run for a Classic is David Wachman's 2,000 Guineas candidate El Fuego. The Fusaichi Pegasus colt won his only start at Fairyhouse and also holds an entry in the Derby. "I like this horse," Wachman said. "Hopefully he will go forward and vindicate my entries for him. Good ground is a must and in Ireland that doesn't seem possible at the minute."

First Gold has been retired by JP McManus following his run in the Grand National, in which he unseated at the 23rd fence. The 13-year-old will be retired to McManus's Martinstown Stud in Co Limerick, alongside champion staying hurdler Baracouda. First Gold won 11 of 44 starts and £885,101 in prize-money.

Racing takes a Good Friday break but resumes with four meetings tomorrow.