Racing: Hopes are higher for Fatherland

THE PROSPECTS of Lester Piggott renewing his famous Derby partnership with Vincent O'Brien increased yesterday after Fatherland made good progress from injury.

A foot abscess had cast doubts on the colt's participation in the Epsom race on Wednesday week. But a spokeswoman for O'Brien said yesterday: 'Everything is now going well with the horse.'

O'Brien, winner of the Derby six times, is unlike to make up his mind over whether to run Fatherland at Epsom until next week, however.