Racing: O'Brien's options still open

Dalakhani, the Aga Khan's unbeaten dual Group One winner, is one of 24 remaining acceptors left in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly on Sunday.

The colt, the winner of two prep races for the Classic this term, impressively accounted for Super Celebre and Alberto Giacometti in the Prix Lupin last time out. Those two were also left in at the first acceptance stage yesterday.

Aidan O'Brien, Alberto Giacometti's trainer, has kept his options open by also accepting with Brian Boru, The Great Gatsby, Balestrini, Handel and France. O'Brien has, however, indicated that he is considering bypassing the French Classic to send his entries to Epsom for the Derby instead.

The two British acceptors for Chantilly are the 2,000 Guineas third, Norse Dancer, and Sir Michael Stoute's Kris Kin - though both could yet be supplemented for Epsom. The David Elsworth-trained Norse Dancer was supported for the Derby yesterday. Ladbrokes cut his price to 20-1 from 25-1.