Racing: Turtle turned over by Tune

TURTLE ISLAND was beaten a short-neck by the outsider of seven, Green Tune, in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) at Longchamp yesterday. The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained colt, tackling a mile for the first time, was held up and brought to challenge inside the final furlong. However, he was outstayed in the closing stages by Green Tune, who is trained by Criquette Head.

John Reid, who rode Turtle Island, said: 'I have no excuses. Green Tune just found another gear when I came to challenge.' Chapple-Hyam added: 'We could have been beaten by the draw, even though there were only seven runners. If he is well tomorrow, we will go for the Irish 2,000 Guineas next weekend.'

One of Turtle Island opponents if he travels to The Curragh will be Manntari. He made his name when winning The Curragh's National Stakes by 10 lengths last autumn and won the 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on his reappearance last month.

Artema, about two lengths third to Manntari at Leopardstown, gave the form a boost by landing the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at the same track on Saturday from Cajarian. Neither is entered for the Epsom Derby.

Another absentee from the Derby on the first Wednesday in June will be Hawker's News, winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial, who, according to his trainer Michael Stoute, was too 'immature last year and just didn't show me enough' to warrant a Derby entry. None of his five opponents on Saturday showed enough to justify theirs. Supporters of The Deep, however, were left to tread water after he was withdrawn because of soft ground.

Pat Eddery also marked time yesterday in his search for a Derby mount when Sunshack was only third to Vadlawys in Longchamp's Prix Hocquart, although the jockey insisted Andre Fabre's colt would 'come on a lot for the race and will run in either the English or French Derby.'

The bluegrass version of the Blue Riband run in Kentucky at the weekend went to Go For Gin, a 9-1 chance. The favourite, Holy Bull, finished 12th.

(Photograph omitted)