Bookmakers Coral yesterday pushed Saratoga Springs out to 7 to 1 from 13 to 2 for the Vodafone Derby in advance of Second Empire's belated seasonal reappearance in the Hibernia Foods Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh today. Considerable support for Second Empire in the last few days has seen him takeover Derby favouritism at 2 to 1 with-a-run, and the likelihood of Saratoga Springs appearing at Epsom seems to have decreased.

"A very confused Derby picture should at least be partially clarified after today's Irish 2,000 Guineas," said Coral's spokesman Simon Clare.

"Our odds compilers have been scratching their heads for weeks but hopefully by Monday only Cape Verdi's plans will be causing them Classic headaches."

Considering rumours were rife about Second Empire's participation at Epsom after suffering pulled muscles this spring, he has made a rapid recovery to join the Guineas line-up and head William Hill's market for the race.