ANDRE Fabre is looking at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on 1st July with Waldgeist. The son of Galileo ran a cracker when just pipped by Brametot in Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.

Fabre, who won the Curragh classic with Winged Love in 1995, and again 10 years later with Hurricane Run, said: "I would think the Irish Derby is a good option for him. He took a big step forward from his first run of the year."

The master trainer is likely to have a small but select team of three for Royal Ascot, headed by Cloth Of Stars.

The Godolphin-owned four-year-old has been in rude health this season, winning a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud, a Group 2 at Chantilly and the Group 1 Prix Ganay back at Saint-Cloud. Fabre has done a great job rebuilding Cloth Of Stars' confidence since he finished eighth behind Harzand in last year's Derby and the Prince of Wales's Stakes now beckons.

"Cloth Of Stars will be going to Ascot," said Fabre. "I won't have many runners there. It's possible Usherette will be supplemented for the Duke of Cambridge.

"I'll also take Le Brivido for the Jersey Stakes. He was only just caught by (subsequent Prix du Jockey Club winner) Brametot in the Guineas and seven furlongs should suit."

One horse not on the Ascot team is Al Wukair, third to Churchill in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. He was forced to miss the Prix du Jockey Club with a late setback.

"He's not too bad and will resume work on Tuesday," said Fabre. "It was the equivalent of a twisted ankle, I suppose - not serious, but just bad timing. He won't go to Ascot but he could go for the Prix Jean Prat in July."

EMINENT

Martyn Meade is contemplating dropping Eminent back in trip for a tilt at next month's Coral-Eclipse at Sandown after ruling him out of an appearance in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

The 10-furlong Group 1 prize on 8th July is one of two races being considered by the Newmarket handler for the Frankel colt who finished fourth in Saturday's Derby at Epsom.

"First of all, the most important thing is he has come out of the race OK and he lives to fight another day," said Meade. "No doubt a race like that will take its toll on any three-year-old and he has lost a little bit of weight. He does look great, but as he is a big horse he will need a bit of time.

"He is not actually in the Irish Derby and I don't think he will go for that. He might go for the Eclipse and we will consider the Grand Prix de Paris (July 14) as he is in both of them. They are later than the Irish race so it gives us sufficient time to get him back to his best.

"It would be quite good to try the stiff mile and a quarter at Sandown, as it obviously helps it is a big striding track and that is what he needs. He will go for one or the other."

Although Meade was left disappointed by the finishing position of Eminent in the Derby, the handler is confident his charge has what it takes to strike at the top level at some point this season.

He said: "I am disappointed it didn't work out as we anticipated in the Derby. I have always said you have got to have the luck in running and a few things didn't go our way.

"One thing I didn't want was for him to be held up and that's what happened. He broke so well, but then the next minute he was right back and unable to use his stride. I am not wanting to be critical from that point of view as Jim (Crowley) has to ride the race how he finds it.

"Unfortunately Jim lost his whip. They squeezed him out, but you are not going to be able to squeeze through past jockeys as strong as Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore without a whip.

"I am not saying we would have beaten the winner as he came down the outside with a wet sail, but I certainly think we would have been second or third. Maybe we have now got rid of our bad luck.

"The great thing is that run gives me confidence there is a Group 1 in him this year."

SPRINT STAR

Karl Burke expects to see dual Group 1 winner Quiet Reflection "strip a lot fitter" than on her seasonal return when she runs in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Last year's Commonwealth Cup and Sprint Cup heroine will bid for a third top-level success when she steps back up in trip for the six-furlong contest on June 24.

Quiet Reflection appeared to be in need of the run when finishing 10th in last month's Temple Stakes at Haydock on ground that was faster than ideal.

Burke said: "Everything is good with Quiet Reflection. She has come out of her last race great and is moving well. She went into the Haydock race 14 kilograms heavier than her last run last year so it tells you how much she needed it.

"In hindsight, we should have gone to the Curragh with her on the same day as Haydock where the ground went soft.

"She will strip a lot fitter for that run and now heads to the Diamond Jubilee at Ascot. We are expecting a big run, but obviously the slower the ground, the better."