Racing: Decision day for Swing

Peter Savill, the owner of Celtic Swing, is due today to end the uncertainty over whether his colt will run in the Derby or travel to France to contest the Prix du Jockey-Club.

Savill will address a press conference in London this morning to reveal his plans. The announcement is expected an hour before the deadline for supplementary entries to the race at Chantilly.

Derby plans for Celtic Swing have been in the balance since Savill expressed reservations about fast ground and the suitability of the Epsom track following the colt's defeat by Pennekamp in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The going at Epsom yesterday was good after rain had fallen on the watered course the previous night, but good to soft conditions at Chantilly for this Sunday's race could prove more tempting.

Savill would have to pay pounds 33,000 to run in France. His racing manager, Nick Babbington, said yesterday: "Peter flew into Britain this morning. He wants to check every detail before he commits himself.

"There is no point deciding now only to find out that Celtic Swing doesn't eat up tonight.

''I drove back from Sandown via Epsom last night and the course had a quarter of an inch of rain. If they raced there tomorrow it would be good ground." Over an inch of rain fell at Sandown but only a fraction of it reached Epsom, just 12 miles away.

n Andre Fabre returns Diffident to sprinting in today's Group Two Prix du Gros-Chene over five furlongs at Chantilly. Sheikh Mohammed's colt showed a fine turn of speed to land the seven-furlong Free Handicap at Newmarket in April. But he could finish only sixth behind stable-mate Pennekamp over the mile of the 2,000 Guineas.